Help Having an evaluation done by a psychologist. Should I tell them I attempted suicide earlier this year due to an antidepressant?

[BitterlyAlive]

I would only mention it because I know this person very well. They can accurately gauge whether or not I'm a harm to myself based on what they already know about me.

In the assessment, suicide is bound to come up. I attempted to kill myself but stopped before I actually harmed myself (literature says this is an "aborted" attempt). I strongly believe it was due to my medication. The meds increased my suicidal urges to where I attempted using a method I would have never picked in my right mind. I stopped because I realized it would have been horrific, and I don't want to die (*yet). But there was the intent, because I remember thinking "This is my chance, it'll kill me and all of this will be over". There was also the impulse due to the meds. If I didn't stop it from happening at the last moment, I likely would have died.

I would appreciate anyone's advice. I'm looking to see what's wrong with me, so I'd rather be as open as I can while protecting myself. I absolutely cannot be hospitalized.

 

[brainpain2]

I don't think you'll get thrown into the psych ward for admitting to a historic aborted suicide attempt. It's true, many medications have suicidal ideation as a side effect, ironically many antidepressants. I think that it's good you want to get help and being evaluated by a psychologist is an important step. Just make sure to reiterate that you are NOT currently suicidal. The psych ward is for people in immediate danger of harming themselves or others. Good luck to you!

 

[BPDbitch]

There's very little chance of being admitted due to suicidal intent. I would tell them, especially if you believe the attempt was caused by antidepressant medication as this will help the psychologist tailor your future treatment. Good luck! x

 

[Deleted member 1465]

Don't think it will be a risk admitting something you once did, though it does raise the possibility of future attempts. As long as you say you currently have no feelings like that then it should be fine. Of course, it depends on the psych, but these days most of them will do everything they can NOT to admit you. I'm not sure they'll even believe it was the medication that caused it (though they'll probably admit such things can happen). Hopefully they will listen and accept your wariness of future prescriptions.

 

[sunny.sativa]

Hi, there :)

Be honest with your care team! They chose their jobs, and they didn't train for this to judge you or call you a looney and throw you in the ward. They want to help. The more information you spill, the better.

You're doing great.

 

[ArtsyDrawer]

Make sure to drill it in their heads that it's the pills, not your normal you that brought you to this moment. I had a freakout in the army, and boy did they have a ball with that!

 

[Moreofthesamepain]

be honest. It could have been the med they gave you that caused or contributed to the thought.

 

[BitterlyAlive]

be honest. It could have been the med they gave you that caused or contributed to the thought.

Yeah, you're right. They didn't prescribe the med, it was a doctor... But I'm 95% sure it was the med. The urges were ridiculous.