Dumb question of the day

OK, so here is the dumb question of the day...sorry but I would really like to hear thoughts

At what point do you tell your doctor if you are having SI thoughts.....people have them....I am just not sure at what point do you throw in the towel and say....Yah, this is what's going on and I am tired of fighting it....

I just don't want to be an alarmist, and I have told them before I have had them.....so at what point are you concerned? Sometimes I wonder, is it when the barrell is in your mouth....I don't know How many times do they have to hear this? I mean.... I don't want to be someone that is always crying wolf...so....at what point do you say, I am really needing help here?

Thoughts
Thank you

Thoughts???

I think that anytime you are having SI thoughts you need to tell the doc. For one thing, they are distressing even if they are just thoughts. & btw, that wasnt a dumb question

my treatment providers and I have a "contract". it boils down to I tell them right away and they work with me on getting to the bottom of it. If I dont tell them right away and it comes to light, the agency policy of referring to the ER for mandatory 72 hour inpatient stay kicks in. so I tell them right away. my therapist says she would rather deal with it as it comes up rather than open her morning newspaper and see my name in the obituaries.

Hi needtoknow

I personally agree with thunderbear - your doctor needs to know at any point if your feeling vulnerable. I agree sometimes our urges can vary in severity but as long as you explain this to your doc they will be able to track the changes in your mood a lot better and hopefully be able to help you. Good luck.

I think it's better to tell the earlier than later. If you wait, the symptoms could get worse and you migh need more in depth care. This way, you get treatment earlier, and also depending on the doctor they could trust you more the earlier you tell them.

There's no reason to fight against these types of feelings alone - you are not alone in this and it's much easier to get better with help from others

hope you feel better!

When I first began treatment, I informed them of those thoughts everytime. I was close to acting on them back then. Now, 20+ years later, I still have them on rare occasions. It isn't scary anymore, at least not overwelmingly scary. My mind covers lots of topics every day. That is just one of many, though not every day. If I perseverate on that act, I go to the ER immediatly, no questions, no excuses. Suicide is a permenant solution to a temporary problem. I tattoed a ying-yang to my forearm to always remind me that, "it is darkest just before the dawn." I think feelings are like that, for me. I'll feel bad, then it gets better. On and on the cycle goes. Day turns into night and night turns into day and on it goes, I am not anticipating these cycles to cease. I've learned how to cope with scary self destructive thoughts. PLaying my guitar, walking taking meds, writing and reading online or in books or on paper. Chatting about nothing with people to pass the time and maybe have a laugh. I've found I'm not alone nor am I that different from anyone I've met. I don't know how I became convinced I was better or worse than anyone. Most people, if you can get them to open up and be honest, have thought of suicide, at rare times, I believe. It is when it becomes to be all-consuming and it is the only thought I can think of, tunnel vision(?) I seek help. I would do most anything to stop myself from doing that. I've experienced the mess that victims of suicides are forced to clean up, till they die. If people knew what I burden their selfish act of self destruction would cause, if they let that knowledge into their mind and heart, they would not, most likely, could not, follow through. I can't stop the option from presenting itself, I can react to it appropriatly and try to reduce the chance of it popping up in my mind at all, by living well. Living well is the best way of preventing suicidal thoughts, in my experience. You aren't alone. I wish I could do more. you will get through this; don't consider can't or won't, you will get through this. end of discussion. survive, its non-negotionable(sp) we survive, I don't understand why we question this basic concept, It is a strange world right now. Lord help us, please! best regards..

Noneedtoknow, definitely not a dumb question. I'm with Thunderbear. I would let your doctor know you are having the thoughts.

No question is a dumb question. At any point of having SI I agree with everyone else that you need to let your Tdoc or Pdoc know. I wish you the best.

Not a dumb question at all. I know where you are coming from, I have wondered the same thing...When is enough, enough? Am I really that bad? I have learned I have a pretty high tolerance and I think everyone is different. So you just got to know where your full line is, I suppose. When for you you can't take it any longer ask for help! Not the alternative! Stay well my friend!

Depends on how seriously you take the thoughts, I think.

When I'm in a bad mood, sometimes that sort of thought arises, but usually I can distract myself and replace the mood. I just remind myself that mental states are temporary, "Get up; move forward", and I'm never really concerned about the thoughts.

Of course, they are unhealthy, no matter what. And, whatever the consequence, the emotions associated with them are rather unpleasant...

as a kid i learned to keep suicide as an option..it kept me sane thru all the abuse...i told my t that & my primary doc. they know this...they also know that when things get really very bad i will usually let them know...& then if need be i will go with prodding to the er for the all (well almost) expense paid "vacation" at chez bin.

i have been so close to death a few times...only that i believe god stopped me...because he must have a plan for me...otherwise....

my doc's all ask periodically if i am on the ledge...& i am honest with them

suicide is still an option i hang on to...it is an option that i hold close...an old habit that kept me alive as a child...it's hard to explain...& one that i hope i won't ever have to use.

Rule: Therapists are people too.

You need to tell who you need to tell. Just because you tell -your- therapist, does not
mean they are not going to be freaked out and institutionalize you. FIND someone who can handle it, your "T" or whoever, but take action NOW.
It may take a while to find that trusted SAFE SPACE with the right person to
help you with your issue.

HUGS and pls , don't hurt yourself.
find any alternative.

Like Skiing is always fun, or waiting for the arrival of the
Great Pumpkin.

-S-

Just be clear when you tell about where you really are on the danger scale. For example, if you are telling BEFORE you are in immediate danger your T is less likely to freak out. From personal experience, it's very lonely and scary to fight this battle alone. I say tell.

I agree. Tell your T or pdoc if you are in any danger of SI. Let us how it goes, and we will be here to support you either way. Just don't self-harm before you get to your t or pdoc, okay?