Is this true?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
Is this true?
8
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 7:40pm
Is it true that if you mention suicide or self-injury to a doctor or therapist, they automatically lock you up for three days?
Avatar for jukie33
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 8:11pm

they have a criteria for locking you up. "locking you up" is not what its all about. its about stabilizing you if you are a danger to yourself. thoughts of suicide are just that. have you planned it out?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 8:37pm

Julie gave you some good advice...from my own experience, I agree that pdocs will generally work with you when you're having suicidal thoughts. I have a long history of having those kinds of thoughts, and I've often talked about them with therapists and psychiatrists. They would ask me if I had a plan and sometimes, if I would be able to sign a contract stating that I wouldn't act on those feelings (that I would call the therapist or doctor if I felt I was in danger).

I have been hospitalized before, mainly when things got to a serious point where I really needed help. But in my experience, it was only when I was seriously planning on harming myself that I was hospitalized...never just for having suicidal thoughts. As Julie said, it's so important that you do talk to someone about those thoughts so you can get the help you need.

As a side note, I guess this is kind of sad in a way...but with my current psychiatrist, I told her when I met her that I often have suicidal thoughts when depressed, but that I don't tend to act on those thoughts. And she has been great about not overreacting when I mention having those thoughts...although it's true that at times I've almost wanted her to take them a little more seriously!

Sorry to get off track. This is probably another reason why it would be good for you to get help now for your thoughts...I have those kinds of images and thoughts almost every day when I'm depressed, and I guess part of that may be a result of habit since I never really got help specifically for resolving them.

Hope this helps a little and wasn't triggering for you (I'm so sorry if it was)...hang in there,

Rose

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 8:49pm

Is the cost of your prescriptions ruining you financially because your insurance doesn't cover them? I really think that our health care system needs some work. Luckily, my mom's insurance covers the cost of my prescription for Prozac.

I don't think I'm enough of a danger to myself to need to be locked up. I don't think that I would voluntarily do it. I need to go back to college next week. I just want to make sure that I don't accidentally say something to my doctor or therapist that makes them think I should be institutionalized.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 8:51pm
Thanks so much for asking and answering this question. I was just thinking about this earlier today. I lately wish it would all end or wish I would just die...but I don't have thoughts about suicide per se. I just wish it would all end. I have never voiced these thoughts to my therapist for that main reason. I'm still scared to do so..but maybe I will now. Thanks again.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 8:56pm

Don't worry, your post wasn't triggering to me at all. It was very helpful. I always find it helpful when people share their personal experiences with me because then I can better decide what I should do about my own situation.

I don't really think that I'm a danger to myself. I'm just having fantasies about suicide, but I know that I wouldn't actually do it. I don't even want to die. I just want attention. I want all my family and friends to notice how I feel. I know that's selfish and silly, but that's the real reason why I have the thoughts.

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 8:59pm
I'm glad that my question was helpful to you.
Avatar for jukie33
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 9:26pm

just tell them ur having these thoughts and they bother you and what should you do about them. that u arent gonna act on them its not like that but they are bothering u because u dont want to be having them. they will ask u if u have a plan or like the other poster said to sign a contract that you wont hurt urself.


i pay a hundred and fifty co pay now on two meds. i got off the ambien because it was 50 bucks more. i go through a mail order ins plan so thats for 3 mo. but couple that with all the copays for doc visits and its a lot of money when you cant bring in any money. (plus the part of hospitalization ins doesn't cover)


i am tryiing to go through Vocational Rehabilitation but they are very difficult to work with here in Alabama. seems i am jumping through all sorts of hoops. in Florida i went in signed up gave them documentatrion of my disability and was in college in a month its been four months and i still am jumping through hoops.


i wish u luck. u dont have to live with these thoughts. there is therapy that works to lessen them and meds that could help also.


jukie

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-15-2004
In reply to: pinkstar84
Sun, 01-02-2005 - 11:46pm
I think it's awful that they make you pay so much for meds when you can't work.