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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 17:57:09
Each T I have seen asks the same questions
1. Have you ever had suicidal thoughts?
2. Have you ever thought about how to commit suicide?My real answer to both of them is, YES but when asked I always answer no to the second. I am affraid of what will happen if I say yes. I feel like they will toss me in the hospital, if I tell them all the truths. I want to be totally open and honest but it scares me, not knowing what they will do.
Anyone have any advice or better yet, experience
Posted by Declan on August 29, 2005, at 19:33:25
In reply to Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 17:57:09
My advice would be to say yes to the first and see how it goes. And then I'd feel my way slowly and carefully. Of course if you don't see your T often that's going to slow things down.
Declan
Posted by med_empowered on August 29, 2005, at 19:34:34
In reply to Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 17:57:09
I had one shrink who asked me if I'd ever considered suicide, and if so, why I hadn't done it yet (sounds weird, but this method was put forth by Frankel back in the 50s to help patients identify reasons to *live*--you answer why you didnt kill yourself, and this helps the T understand what's *really* important to you) Anyway, I may have been a little too honest--and I was really depressed and pissy, too--so I answered that one reason was that the whole suicide thing seems so messy--bloody, painful, and lots of attempts don't even work. I said that I had X reasons in general to live, but one reason I hadn't "taken the plunge" was that I hadn't zeroed in on *the* method to kill myself. Well...I didn't get hospitalized. Basically, all my meds were limited to, at most, 1 refill (Klonopin and other controlled substances usually didn't have a refill, and I always took sleeping pills in 2-week increments, which sucked b/c I had to do 2 fills per month when I first started taking Ambien and Sonata). As you might imagine, my T also made sure not to RX tricyclic antidepressants *at all*, and didn't really up my Klonopin to an effective dose until after my depression had abated somewhat. So...nothing terrible happened, but it was kind of a pain in the a$$ for a while. On the other hand...some shrinks are really hot-to-trot when it comes to "intensive" treatment for potentially "at-risk" patients, so you may want take this into account. If you're like me, and you tend to think about suicide--sometimes in detail, and at length--but you don't have a history of suicide attempts and you are sure to present your thoughts as just that: thoughts borne of desperation, your T should take that into account. Since I have bipolar disorder, and suicide is a big friggn' deal in bipolar, my T used a scale for suicidality: the spectrum went from passing thoughts of suicide to the extreme, which would be making a plan, buying necessary equipment, that kind of thing. Since I never hit the extreme end of the spectrum, I didnt have to worry about hospitalization (which, BTW, has *no* statistically proven effects on suicidal or violent behavior). Plus, it depends on your state...some states are *way* too lenient in allowing docs to toss people into hospitals, while others (rightly) restrict this sort of thing to very extreme cicrumstances. I believe that in my own state one still has the right to request a *jury* trial before being committed in most circumstances...from what I understand, when the patient opts for the jury trial, the shrink usually has a sudden change of heart and decides that the patient isn't so risky, after all (the costs and potential loss of ego from that kind of proceeding can be enormous). Good luck!
Posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 21:29:44
In reply to Re: Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by med_empowered on August 29, 2005, at 19:34:34
I just dont want to get put in a hospital. I don't think I need that. I just have all these situations run trhough my head, that I am going to have to bust out of that place, when they come to strap me in a straight jacket
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 29, 2005, at 22:10:44
In reply to Re: Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 21:29:44
I would say that most T's and pdoc's are just as invested as you are in keeping you OUT of the hospital unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. They know that it is expensive and (possibly) unpleasant.
Also most T's have a pretty high threshold for that sort of stuff. They hear it often and so they are unlikely to freak out about something that is not worth freaking out about.
That said, I was so afraid to mention suicidal thoughts to my T and pdoc. I felt ashamed, like it made me crazy, like I was being a bad patient. It really only came up after several years of treatment when my pdoc asked me directly. It actually felt like such a relief to be able to talk about it. I felt understood and comforted. And very relieved that she didn't freak out.
If you can find the courage to bring it up, I would do it. One thing that is helpful to me about talking about it is that it helps me know how well my meds are working. When the thoughts are bad, I know I might need to tweak the meds. When they aren't there for several weeks, it is a good sign!
Best,
EE
Posted by xjs7 on August 29, 2005, at 23:56:24
In reply to Re: Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 21:29:44
> I just dont want to get put in a hospital. I don't think I need that. I just have all these situations run trhough my head, that I am going to have to bust out of that place, when they come to strap me in a straight jacket
Hi, the hospital isn't too bad. I was just there a week ago. They discharge you really fast these days. It is designed for people who need a safe place and a rapid resolution of symptoms. It is all over in a few days and you will feel much better when you are out. Don't be afraid of the hospital; it isn't the end of the world to go there. Sometimes it is even a good idea.
Posted by TheMagicPill on August 30, 2005, at 2:13:14
In reply to Re: Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by Emily Elizabeth on August 29, 2005, at 22:10:44
I always say "I've thought about how I would like being out of this pain BUT I've never come up with any detailed plan to do anything."
Posted by felixbabble on August 30, 2005, at 3:22:27
In reply to Re: I always say ..., posted by TheMagicPill on August 30, 2005, at 2:13:14
> I always say "I've thought about how I would like being out of this pain BUT I've never come up with any detailed plan to do anything."
Yeah but like I said, I really either want to be truthfull about that question. Thats the problem
Posted by TheMagicPill on August 30, 2005, at 10:41:18
In reply to Re: I always say ..., posted by felixbabble on August 30, 2005, at 3:22:27
That is the truth about my situation, but you are right about yours.
Posted by xbunny on August 30, 2005, at 11:23:05
In reply to Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 17:57:09
> Each T I have seen asks the same questions
>
> 1. Have you ever had suicidal thoughts?
> 2. Have you ever thought about how to commit suicide?
>
> Anyone have any advice or better yet, experienceThese days I always try to answer yes to both if its appropriate and have never been hospitalized because of that. Without a doubt I have found it helpful to be as open and honest as I can muster to the pdoc. I remember once I was feeling pretty ok not anxious not depressed but over and over I was getting suicidal and paranoid thoughts just out of nowhere. I felt like such a fool sitting in the consulting room having an airy jokey chat about work whilst my mind was running over and over 'kill yourself' 'kill yourself' 'hes one of us' 'he knows what your thinking' 'kill yourself before we puts more of these thoughts in your head and controls you more' etc. I was terrified if I told him he would lock me up for sure and I would concoct endless fantasies about how they would torture and brainwash me in the hospital. Eventually on the second such trip I just blurted it out, he didnt instantly commit me instead he very carefully pieced together what I was suddenly babbling about and I felt loads better for getting it out. He offered me a stay in hospital to start different meds if I wanted it, I declined so with my consent we increased my risperdal instead. The risperdal didnt really help but the experience was very valueable I learnt that they wouldnt necassarily commit me for speaking my mind. Later I would go to hospital for this kind of thing and learnt that isnt so bad either. The most torturing I got was having to be out of bed in the morning by 9am, the brainwashing was daytime tv ;-)
Hope you are well, Bunny
Posted by B2chica on August 30, 2005, at 11:37:06
In reply to Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 17:57:09
hi felixbabble
i believe in being totally honest with T that's the one promise i made to myself. HOWEVER, i went through many T's with just initially meeting kind of feeling them out. some are hypersensitive and would rather throw you to the H rather than take a risk. so my advice here would be to ask your T what would constitute him advising you to go to the hospital, this way you know what he's looking at AND it's good for you to recognize these signs so that you DO get help when needed.
i've been in hospital several times mostly anymore it's like the justice system...a revolving door, the average stay is 2-3 nights mostly they look at your medications, do some adjustments and ask you how YOU think your doing. But please be honest, cuz that really is the best place to play around with getting you the right medication in case of severe side effects.
the T i have now we can openly talk about when i'm feeling suicidal...i was doing it so much when i first saw him that he made up a contract. he and i agreed we wanted to make it work with outpatient treatment but this way i had some guidelines and he had a legal safetynet. it basically lists things to do, the last two are -call him the very last one is go to hospital, they evaluate you (don't always admit you). but then you're seeking help and becoming more self sufficient and healthy.
i think it's important to discuss the ways you think about it, sometimes talking it through makes it more real and makes it not as desireable.
other things to try:
journal it, get VERY descriptive, every last detail-ddon't just write the physical description also include how you are feeling emotionally through each step of it. if that doens't help if your' artistic (or even if you aren't) try to draw, or paint how you feel, write a poem.
maybe even bring it in to discuss it if you feel comfortable.HTH
b2c.
Posted by Phillipa on August 30, 2005, at 20:02:13
In reply to Try this... » felixbabble, posted by B2chica on August 30, 2005, at 11:37:06
Gee when I posted a Thread is there a magic pill I never thought a poster would use it as there name. I guess a lot of you liked it. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by denise1966 on September 1, 2005, at 7:08:18
In reply to Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by felixbabble on August 29, 2005, at 17:57:09
Hi,
Sorry not sure what a T is but I'm always completely honest with my psychiatrist about any suicidal thoughts I have as it's always best to be totally honest otherwise they are not going to be able to treat you properly and they've never yet tossed me into hospital.
Denise
Posted by B2chica on September 1, 2005, at 9:48:23
In reply to Re: Telling T about Suicidal thoughts, posted by denise1966 on September 1, 2005, at 7:08:18
This is the end of the thread.
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