Help Telling Doctors about CTB attempts.

[DevonBostick'sAss]

Hey guys,

I've decided to try therapy, and I want to be open about my struggles. Do you think I should mention my suicide attempt to the therapist? Will it change how they approach my treatment? Like not therapy but I will go to a hospital.
I will only have like 15 minutes to talk about what I've been trough. I'm scared that the doctor will misunderstand my situation/ problems.

I know they're professionals and have probably dealt with similar situations before, but I wonder if bringing it up will change how they approach my treatment. Will it make them see me differently? Will it affect the kind of help or support they offer? I want to be honest, but I also don't want to be treated like a lost cause or have it overshadow everything else I want to talk about. For those who have been in therapy, did you share something like this? How did your therapist respond? I'd really appreciate any insight or advice.

The last time I went to a doctor I did not mention my attempts nor my self harm. He only said I have ADHD and gave me meds for it. I dont think that it was right of him though. I know I got ADHD but it wasnt the reason why I wanted a doctor to share my feelings.

Also, since I only have 15 minutes, I'm thinking of writing everything down beforehand and reading it during the session so I don't forget anything important. Do you think that would come across as weird to the therapist? I just don't want to waste time struggling to put my thoughts into words when I know I'll be anxious. Has anyone else done this before? I'd really appreciate any insight or advice.

 

[TransilvanianHunger]

Do you think I should mention my suicide attempt to the therapist? Will it change how they approach my treatment? Like not therapy but I will go to a hospital.

Going to a hospital is usually reserved for times when a person is in the middle of a crisis and is at risk of harming themselves or others. A competent therapist should be able to distinguish between a person talking about having suicidal thoughts or a past suicide attempt, and someone who is likely to jump off a bridge after they leave the consultation room. Discussing a suicide attempt should be perfectly fine. If you want to be extra safe, you can specifically tell the therapist that you want to discuss your suicide attempt, but that you are not currently planning on harming yourself or anyone else.

I know they're professionals and have probably dealt with similar situations before, but I wonder if bringing it up will change how they approach my treatment. Will it make them see me differently? Will it affect the kind of help or support they offer? I want to be honest, but I also don't want to be treated like a lost cause or have it overshadow everything else I want to talk about.

It should not negatively affect the kind of support a therapist will offer. They won't judge you, see you as damaged, broken, or not worth bothering with. That is part of the job description of a therapist — to be present with the patient, and listen to what the patient needs to say, without judging or moralising.

For those who have been in therapy, did you share something like this? How did your therapist respond? I'd really appreciate any insight or advice.

Yes, I talked about my suicidal ideation with my therapist a while ago. She listened to me, asked a couple of questions about my reasoning, how was I feeling about it in that moment, and generally invited me to talk about every part of it that I wanted. From my description, it might not seem like a particularly interesting intervention on her part, but I came out of that session feeling calmer, and lighter. I haven't felt like offing myself for some time now, but the subject of suicide still comes up from time to time, and my therapist is always open to talking about it.

Also, since I only have 15 minutes, I'm thinking of writing everything down beforehand and reading it during the session so I don't forget anything important. Do you think that would come across as weird to the therapist? I just don't want to waste time struggling to put my thoughts into words when I know I'll be anxious. Has anyone else done this before? I'd really appreciate any insight or advice.

I've never done it myself, but I did suggest something similar to a friend who told me that she'd often forget things she wanted to bring up to her therapist. If you feel like doing this would help, go for it. I'm sure the therapist won't mind.

Good luck!

 

[SilentSadness]

Unfortunately I recommend against ever telling a therapist/councellor that you are suicidal or will attempt, it could end very badly for you. There are numerous cases on this site of people being involuntarily hospitalised or force fed medications for opening up about it, and depending on where you're from therapists are legally required to report suicidality. If you read articles like this, you can see the insane thought process behind these people:

If you tell your therapist you're experiencing suicidal thoughts they are ethically and legally required to break confidentiality and report to a family member, government organization, or the police if you have a clear plan in place to harm yourself. Knowing a therapist is required to report suicidality may feel confusing because therapy is a place to share your most intimate self. However, there are laws created to prevent serious harm to yourself.

In other words, they understand that they promised to protect the client's privacy but they don't care because preventing "serious harm to oneself" matters more than anything else. So if you want to share your problems with your therapist, I would strongly recommend sharing the reasons for your suicidality rather than the fact that you're suicidal or had any attempts. It will also show the therapist that you are interested in resolving the causes of your suicidality.

 

[DevonBostick'sAss]

Going to a hospital is usually reserved for times when a person is in the middle of a crisis and is at risk of harming themselves or others. A competent therapist should be able to distinguish between a person talking about having suicidal thoughts or a past suicide attempt, and someone who is likely to jump off a bridge after they leave the consultation room. Discussing a suicide attempt should be perfectly fine. If you want to be extra safe, you can specifically tell the therapist that you want to discuss your suicide attempt, but that you are not currently planning on harming yourself or anyone else.

It should not negatively affect the kind of support a therapist will offer. They won't judge you, see you as damaged, broken, or not worth bothering with. That is part of the job description of a therapist — to be present with the patient, and listen to what the patient needs to say, without judging or moralising.

Yes, I talked about my suicidal ideation with my therapist a while ago. She listened to me, asked a couple of questions about my reasoning, how was I feeling about it in that moment, and generally invited me to talk about every part of it that I wanted. From my description, it might not seem like a particularly interesting intervention on her part, but I came out of that session feeling calmer, and lighter. I haven't felt like offing myself for some time now, but the subject of suicide still comes up from time to time, and my therapist is always open to talking about it.

I've never done it myself, but I did suggest something similar to a friend who told me that she'd often forget things she wanted to bring up to her therapist. If you feel like doing this would help, go for it. I'm sure the therapist won't mind.

Good luck!

Thank you so much for writing all this. It really helps and It really effected my next move. Im sorry for wasting your time over me . Thank you so much

 

[TransilvanianHunger]

Im sorry for wasting your time over me.

You did no such thing, mate! You're not a bother or a nuisance; you had questions, I was happy to offer my perspective, and I'm glad you find it useful.

 

[bananaolympus]

You should if you want better help, but do not tell them you are suicidal right now tell them you don't know you have to keep an attitude of struggle not of despair because then they could take you to the hospital

 

[The_Hunter]

Going to a hospital is usually reserved for times when a person is in the middle of a crisis and is at risk of harming themselves or others. A competent therapist should be able to distinguish between a person talking about having suicidal thoughts or a past suicide attempt, and someone who is likely to jump off a bridge after they leave the consultation room. Discussing a suicide attempt should be perfectly fine. If you want to be extra safe, you can specifically tell the therapist that you want to discuss your suicide attempt, but that you are not currently planning on harming yourself or anyone else.

It should not negatively affect the kind of support a therapist will offer. They won't judge you, see you as damaged, broken, or not worth bothering with. That is part of the job description of a therapist — to be present with the patient, and listen to what the patient needs to say, without judging or moralising.

Yes, I talked about my suicidal ideation with my therapist a while ago. She listened to me, asked a couple of questions about my reasoning, how was I feeling about it in that moment, and generally invited me to talk about every part of it that I wanted. From my description, it might not seem like a particularly interesting intervention on her part, but I came out of that session feeling calmer, and lighter. I haven't felt like offing myself for some time now, but the subject of suicide still comes up from time to time, and my therapist is always open to talking about it.

I've never done it myself, but I did suggest something similar to a friend who told me that she'd often forget things she wanted to bring up to her therapist. If you feel like doing this would help, go for it. I'm sure the therapist won't mind.

Good luck!

I just want to say. Such a thorough account of such a genuine firsthand experience of yours, is simply priceless information to provide to people. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, that too, with such smooth recollection. Hope you are feeling well, friend :)

 

[IsolatedChaos]

I just want to say. Such a thorough account of such a genuine firsthand experience of yours, is simply priceless information to provide to people. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, that too, with such smooth recollection. Hope you are feeling well, friend :)

Oh, hi, Hunter! Fancy meeting you here.

I will join in and support what TransilvanianHunger said, I had many therapists, and the best way I've found to go about it is to say I have thoughts, but no concrete intentions. Therapists are trained to deal with these sorts of things and to make differentiations. I recently had a talk with my therapist (a new one) where she got concerned about it, so I told her: "Look, if I actually had an intention, I wouldn't be bringing this up. Me mentioning it is me expressing a desire to fight this."
It's all about context and nuance.
I've had an attempt before as well, and I assure you none of my therapists seemed to have disbelief in me when I said I wasn't going to do it, but admitted to the feeling.