How can you tell that you're not safe?

Exactly that: how can you tell that you're not safe? If and when you do realize you're in danger, what do you do?

Last night I was a mess. I came pretty close to feeling genuinely unsafe, but I'm not sure I crossed that barrier. It's hard to tell. And I'm not sure what to do now apart from email my therapist.

When I feel genuinely unsafe I usually end up in the emergency room and in the hospital. It might be something to consider if you get to that point, please stay safe!

I know I'm unsafe by reading my file and what the doctors say about me. They are usually WAY more serious about the situation than I am. That said, I know you probably can't read your file, but you CAN go in and talk to the doctors at the psych ER and see what they have to say on the situation. I think you'd feel better. And the fact that you don't know if you're safe tells me that you probably should go in just in case.

I've just dealt with it so long that I know when I'm surfing SI waves and when I'm actually in a rip tide. I've just come to know the difference after many years and many episodes. That's how it is for me. I'm sorry I can't be more specific. If you are asking yourself whether you're safe at any point in time you probably aren't and should reach out.

I simply don't know most of the time. This is a great question, and I hope others pipe in. I do know I'm terribly unsafe when mixed and impulsive.

I'm no longer safe when I become impulsive.

I'm not safe when I visualize myself caressing my temple with my .38 or taking every pill in my home "pharmacy". That's when I go to the hospital.

Hm... I got pretty close to some of these red lines this weekend. I hope this weird mood shift is over.

I agree that if you're not sure, then there's a risk, and you should seek help at that point.

When you use anxiolytics when depressed (it diminishes your impulse control), when you're in a mixed episode (either fearless psychosis, mania, mixed with fearful psychosis or with depression) or if you are extremely desperate and you fear psychosis.

I think.

It also depends on what you think of suicide and of (your own) suffering. Being unsafe can also be spending or giving away all your money or setting fire to your house.

But better safe than s... uhm... dead. Just reach out.

This!!!!

Usually I'm unsafe if I have a plan and about to go through with it. My husband is also pretty perceptive about my moods and will keep tabs on me if I'm really out of it.

I am unsafe when I start to feel impulsive. I know I need to take some action at that point.

I usually have good awareness.. and I tell my husband , If I dont see it I trust my husband and go to the ER .

I dont have a problem going IP , Im not thrilled but it keeps me safe until I can get straightened out.

Yall are making me feel very unwise about decisions I made last year. Just one impulsive moment from disaster. Won't make that mistake again though...

But my answer to the original question: If I rehearse or touch the tool I would use.