Discussion Should I tell my psychiatrist about my suicide plans?

[ignorableaurochs]

I see my psych on Friday. Had a query, please.

For context, I have been unwell since I was 14, tried many different meds and therapies, nothing has helped much. 5 (fairly impulsive) attempts since I was 16, I'm 29 now.

Told myself I'd finish [redacted thing] before I go but being so mentally disabled has made [redacted thing] take longer than expected. I'm in constant mental pain and have been making plans. These plans became more concrete in 2023, but I keep putting them off because I have to finish [thing]. I am only getting more unwell by the day.

Been seeing this psychiatrist since 2022 and he has not been very helpful. Put me on meds that made me feel awful and refused to refer me for any more therapy. Then took me off the meds and told me to go to the gym more (I barely get out of bed most days). Other issues I won't get into. He knows I experience ideation but not about the extent of the plans - I always downplay it.

So, I'm not convinced that he is going to be very helpful. And I don't think there is anything he can do to change my mind - I still want to die. I just don't know if being honest about this will help me in any way, or if it will have potential negative consequences.

What I really want is to reduce my pain and suffering for a few months so I can complete [redacted thing], after which I plan to finally die. What are the likely consequences of me disclosing this to a psychiatrist? I do not want to tell him the planned method because I do not want him to stop me.

Thank you for listening. Sorry if the typing is bad. I'm feeling cognitively pretty foggy.

 

[Shadows From Hell]

Hard to tell what he will say or do if he isn't helpful. But beware on what you say, or you could end up being sanctioned to a happy house.

 

[NearlyIrrelevantCake]

Involuntary psych ward stay speedrun any%

 

[TinyGuy]

Do not tell to a psychiatrist your suicide plans EVER.They will send people to ur house and u will go to a psych ward which might make u feel much worse.

 

[ignorableaurochs]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I guess I'm in so much pain I kind of don't care if they section me, because I feel like they can't keep me in there forever and I'll just continue with my plans as soon as I get out. But it will probably interfere with my plans to do [thing] which is what is keeping me here, I guess. This stuff is so frustrating. I feel so lost.

 

[maniac116]

NO!
There are 2 levels of suicidality.
The first is suicidal ideation...random thoughts of suicide. Its a warning to psych staff.
The second is a suicide plan. I don't know what country you're in but in the US, psych staff are mandated reporters. I was a psych nurse & the licensing board keeps their hand on your license & if someone dies & they find it wasn't reported they quickly yank your license. You will wind up in a psych ward on an involuntary hold.
Be as honest as you can but keep in mind what you just cannot tell them. After all you wouldn't go to a cop to admit you robbed a store.
You can tell them you're feeling down but say nothing about a plan.

 

[ignorableaurochs]

Thanks all. I didn't actually see your last reply before my appointment this morning. I was fairly honest (without specifying methods) and it honestly seemed like he didn't care.

He also told me that meds would not work for me after trying so many and he did not want to refer me for therapy either, for similar reasons. So I have to keep trying this 'behavioural activation' which is basically 'attempt to get out of bed and brush your teeth every day'. I have failed that for the last 8 weeks and I'm frustrated that I have been left with no support, but this has only solidified my plans.

I am going to try some shrooms as a last resort and then that's it. Thank you all again for the advice.

 

[Roadrunner]

If you truly want to successfully CTB, tell no one. If your hoping to have your mind changed, or be talked out of it then sure. Imho