[Ad Intra]

Like when you go to your regular dr for depression they always ask if you're suicidal. It doesn't change your treatment at all despite your answer.

[Patsfan]

If you are suicidal, the doc will want to know if you have a plan or intent. If you do, they could hospitalize you or have someone watch you. A few years ago I was very suicidal, my doc told my husband that I was not to be left alone. It's one of the first questions my doc asks at a visit.

[Ad Intra]

Originally Posted by Patsfan

If you are suicidal, the doc will want to know if you have a plan or intent. If you do, they could hospitalize you or have someone watch you. A few years ago I was very suicidal, my doc told my husband that I was not to be left alone. It's one of the first questions my doc asks at a visit.

This hasn't been the case with me. I'll say 'yes' and they'll just be like 'ok' and move on to something else.

[Frankbtl]

Hi Ad Intra,

I'm so sorry that they've seemed to treat it so casually when you've told them that
But you know at least here we aren't just going make you feel like your feelings are being dismissed, we care!!

And why they ask..........well that answer, among answers to other questions, can help them determine the severity of your depression and the treatment/support you may need.
So it might be about changing dosages of your medication, introducing different medications, referring you to a pdoc or getting you an emergency appointment with a pdoc, getting you outreach services..........or hospitalization IF necessary.........or even if you've had a change in medication, or other changes, talking about intensity/frequency of sui ideation..........if that's decreasing it might say the medications starting to work, or that things are a bit better for you............
Well that's just part of how it's supposed to work when they ask!!!

And.........from what you were saying, am I reading it right in that you're having a hard time right now??
If so, if you want to talk about it..........we're here for you

Alison

[i dont matter]

I believe that the reason they ask is to justify placing you in *protective services* for 72 hours. (I have been there, done that).

Just my opinion - I hope you are completely honest with them. They have no reason to "get" you..... they are just trying to protect you.

[ManOfConstantSorrow]

My understanding is that they have a statutory duty of care and have to ask but what they do with the reply is for them to decide on the basis of their experience, training and knowledge of the patient.

If someone agrees that they have suicidal feelings or indeed intent the doctor is obliged to respond by committal, choice of low lethality medication and not much of it, seek support from specialists in the field, or they can just make a note that the feeling have been expressed but action is not justified.

[Alastor Melancholic]

I seem to get asked this every-time and sometimes I say I am and sometimes I lie and say everything is okay. I mean I'll tell them plans and ideas about how I would but usually they don't really do anything with it. Just the "oh you might want to consider hospitalization."