Telling a therapist you're suicidal in the first session

[gnomeboy17]

Hello,
Although I am aware of the possible consequences, I want to tell someone I'm very suicidal.

I've had 4 counsellors since January, and either lied and severely played down my SI or I told them and they basically just thought I was exaggerating.

I've also spoken to GP directly and they did the same and I just feel really worried because no one seems to listen (apart from here)

So is it normal to tell someone you just met you want to ctb? Do you think I must've worded it wrong? Or just had a couple of bad therapists?

Any response would be appreciated

 

[Freedent]

I think it really depends, from where you live and who your therapist is.
I'm french and i've had around a dozen of different therapists ; some get very concerned and ask if i have a plan, others just brush it off to focus on the underlying issues. The law says that as long as you're not a direct threat to yourself, they don't have to send you to the hospital, so as long as you don't say "i'm going to kill myself next week by hanging, and i've looked up how to do it", they usually leave you alone and respect whether or not you want to discuss it.

 

[merpmerp]

I think its important to say you have had suicidal thoughts before but currently do not have any. Just leave it at that on the first visit or else you risked being sent to the hospital ward.

 

[TimeToBiteTheDust]

Nope. That would only make things woese for me.

 

[Brick In The Wall]

I think its important to say you have had suicidal thoughts before but currently do not have any. Just leave it at that on the first visit or else you risked being sent to the hospital ward.

This is fairly accurate. Most won't have you sectioned unless you're a clear and present danger to either yourself or others.

But honestly why even risk telling them at all? I'd just stick with telling them you're severely depressed as you'll probably get the same results either way.

 

[MartyByrde]

Without an immediate plan, you're unlikely to be forcefully hospitalized. Imo, you're wasting your time downplaying and/or lying to your therapist. I'm not saying tell them your deepest darkest secrets in your first session though. If you truly wish to benefit from therapy, honesty is key. Sometimes the process can be deeply painful, but necessary. Otherwise, what's the point in going?

Btw, I like your byline.

 

[Despondent]

It seems that this is something that does concern you ❤ There's nothing wrong with saying that in your first session. If you put it out there right away, he or she will know that you're serious and will listen. You don't have to, but I don't see anything wrong with that

 

[TheGoodGuy]

When talking to my psychiatrist I avoid words like 'suicidal' and 'depression' you get punished for using those words

 

[Pallf]

If you decide to discuss suicidal thoughts with a therapist, always throw in the fact that you don't plan on doing it anytime soon. If you say you'll ctb in a week they can send you to a facility; if you say you'll ctb in roughly 5 years, not much they can do, in my experience at least.

Other than that, keep it somewhat vague on details until you get to know them better and can decide whether or not it's safe to divulge more info.

 

[HadEnough1974]

I think what you really want is to have your pain validated by a human being who also happens to be a health care professional.

I think you want them to know that you are seriously not well, although it may not appear so on the outside.

I think you're crying out for help and you sort of need to spell it out for them.

The question is, if they suggest keeping you overnight or for a few days, would you be ok with that? And also, will it solve anything?

Just being on suicide watch without someone to talk to is no fun.

 

[gnomeboy17]

This is fairly accurate. Most won't have you sectioned unless you're a clear and present danger to either yourself or others.

But honestly why even risk telling them at all? I'd just stick with telling them you're severely depressed as you'll probably get the same results either way.

I've said that before, I said I'm quite sure I'm depressed and she asked me why, I just said because I feel sad a lot but the true reason is because I want to ctb, so I don't know how else to explain what makes me think I'm depressed

I think what you really want is to have your pain validated by a human being who also happens to be a health care professional.

I think you want them to know that you are seriously not well, although it may not appear so on the outside.

I think you're crying out for help and you sort of need to spell it out for them.

The question is, if they suggest keeping you overnight or for a few days, would you be ok with that? And also, will it solve anything?

Just being on suicide watch without someone to talk to is no fun.

Maybe you didn't mean it like this but it seems like you're saying that I just need attention. I don't, I've been suicidal for 5 years and attempted in February, I just want to get better, is that too much to ask? I know there's some things I can't say without getting put on a ward, but I do know it's okay to briefly tell them sometimes I think of ending it all.

 

[BPD Barbie]

In my personal experience I was very open and honest with my psychiatrist and told them everything in very black and white terms. For me, transparency was the best way I found to get the adequate help from them. If you work with them and not against them, building up trust, it will have a good outcome.

 

[SanJunipero1]

I told my therapist (whom I first saw in Dec) but that I wasn't planning on doing it till August (the anniversary of my fiancé's suicide). The Truth is I was planning on doing it much sooner than that but being able to openly talk about my suicidal feelings in therapy helped so much.

 

[StuckAF]

Been thinking about going to a therapist again but don't think it will help, would be stupid to tell them from the first time. Also they can't give me what I want so it's pointless.

 

[attell2]

There are plenty of incompetent, uncaring therapists in the world. If you don't jive with them, find someone else. It can take a while. It's a pretty bad feeling trying to convince someone you're paying that your problems are to be taken seriously. Those people don't deserve your money.

 

[Orpheus*]

Hello,
Although I am aware of the possible consequences, I want to tell someone I'm very suicidal.

I've had 4 counsellors since January, and either lied and severely played down my SI or I told them and they basically just thought I was exaggerating.

I've also spoken to GP directly and they did the same and I just feel really worried because no one seems to listen (apart from here)

So is it normal to tell someone you just met you want to ctb? Do you think I must've worded it wrong? Or just had a couple of bad therapists?

Any response would be appreciated

I strongly believe in not telling anyone in mental health about SI until I'm absolutely sure I can trust them. Telling people about SI can get you involuntarily psyched SO quick. I've only told therapists I had already built a relationship with.

 

[zer05mdy]

I did, but made sure to clarify that I wasn't actually going to act on my suicidal thoughts. I knew I needed to tell someone right away in order to be taken seriously, but not serious enough to be involuntarily hospitalized.