[Tumnus]

So, this might sound like a dumb question, but what can a psychiatrist do in terms of getting you admitted into a hospital? I mean, if you were to tell a pdoc in an appointment that you had a plan and were going to enact it right after the appt, what would they do? Do they just try to talk you into going to the hospital? Do they call someone to take you away? What is their responsibility in that situation?

[deliquesce]

hi tumnus,

i don't know what the deal is over in oregon, i'm in australia. i just wanted to say that i'm wishing you well and hoping that you will keep safe. whatever the answer is to your question, it is always best if you're completely honest with your pdoc - they are there to do what is in your best interest, after all.

are you thinking of harming yourself?

take care,
deli

[madisgram]

if you tell a pdoc you have a plan of harming yourself i believe they must admit you to a hospital, IMHO. having said that i'm not sure if this law is nationwide or not. however it doesn't have to be like dragging you away...a pdoc should be understanding and gentle with someone who is so fragile in this type of situation. a psych ward would be the best place for treatments of this severe a situation.
if you went to an emrgency room with this same info the same would apply. course then we get into insurance issues.
is this something going through your mind? if so, you do need to tell your pdoc so he can help you. let us know how you are doing, k?

[gimmeice]

My understanding of this type of situation is that if you tell your pdoc that they will first try to talk you out of hurting yourself and then you would talk about options. Now if they feel that you are in danger they can get a court order to have you put into a psych ward but I think that it's a last option they would first talk to you about your feelings. I used to be terrified of going to my pdoc out of fear of being sent to the hospital but my T took the time to explain how the process works and that has helped.

[Tumnus]

Thanks for the replies so far. A while back I kept some stuff back from my pdoc because I was afraid of what she would/could do. More afraid of the unknown than anything.

In answer to the questions about my intentions. I am not thinking of harming myself right now. I'm just trying to get my thoughts together.

[Capp]

Originally Posted by Tumnus

Thanks for the replies so far. A while back I kept some stuff back from my pdoc because I was afraid of what she would/could do. More afraid of the unknown than anything.

In answer to the questions about my intentions. I am not thinking of harming myself right now. I'm just trying to get my thoughts together.

Tumnus,
Thank you for letting us know you are all right...
Jme/Jmo, but please let her know that you weren't comfortable sharing these things with you...building trust is a two way street. Being as direct as you can with her will ease your mind, and she needs to know so her treatment protocol will best help you.
It's not the easiest thing to do, I know.

Peace...
please don't let things build up

Cap

[mistymi]

becareful what you say i have had the cops called on me, while i was in the office before by saying that and was taken to the hospital in handcuffs.
after that i quit going to any professional, and i do not recommend that.
just be extremely careful.

[Capp]

Originally Posted by mistymi

becareful what you say i have had the cops called on me, while i was in the office before by saying that and was taken to the hospital in handcuffs.
after that i quit going to any professional, and i do not recommend that.
just be extremely careful.

mistymi,
I'm truly sorry you went through this and no longer trust professionals.
I'm very glad, though, that you are alive and sharing with us.

It's a fine line that professionals walk whenever someone admits in therapy they may be suicidal...there are so many variables about the best course of action. Consideration will be given to many different things.
The safety of the patient is the number one priority.
No professional will jump at having someone committed unless they have strong reason to believe the patient is going to harm themselves...it's not a decision made lightly; in fact it's a difficult one for them.
Jmo

Cap

[ECHOES]

Now that you seem to be past the point you were 'a while back', it would be a great time to talk to your pdoc about this.

Suicidal thoughts are thoughts and are often about the amount of pain a person is in at that time. It is a way of saying I am in "this much" pain and I don't know what to do about it, I may not have words for what's happening except that I'm feeling *this* bad.

Glad that you're feeling better.

[marianne rose]

In reading your post I wonder if you want to be admitted. I understand you don't feel suicidal now and that very, very good. However, if you've gone so far as to think about telling you doc and wondering what would happen you may be looking for being admitted. I was admitted at my doc's suggestion. We were fairly new to each other and I was having insurance problems getting the meds I needed. After I agreed to go in he told me if I didn't show up by a certain time he'd come to get me. I told him I'd be there. Here's what happened. I found it to be SAFE. I've never thought of my life in those terms. Security - financial, emotional security of course but I never thought of my life in terms of safety. From the moment I got there I realized everyone who worked there was there only to make sure I was okay. The people who were admitted were very supportive without being intrusive. As an adult I've never experienced that feeling before. Now I know why some of the people were return patients. You can vent, you get the meds you need, you get support. It was great. Do not hesitate to tell your doc if you feel you need to be admitted. It's not horrid or frightening, in fact, it's the exact opposite. What made me decide to go in was when my doc said I needed time to focus on myself. It really helped and I ended up being in a very short time - less than 3 days. Please tell your doc if you feel it would help you to be admitted. It made a huge difference for me. God bless you in your journey back. You will be back. If you can be stand the wait, you will be back.

[Tumnus]

Originally Posted by marianne rose

Now I know why some of the people were return patients. You can vent, you get the meds you need, you get support. It was great. Do not hesitate to tell your doc if you feel you need to be admitted. It's not horrid or frightening, in fact, it's the exact opposite. God bless you in your journey back. You will be back. If you can be stand the wait, you will be back.

Was in for ten days last winter... I know it's safe. Not sure I can call it great. Feeling ambivalent about a return visit. Think it should be on my terms, not a doc's terms. Need the blessing and thank you for it. Not sure about being back but keep hoping for me.

[LonelyRebel]

If you want to be admitted and have a legitimate reason you can go to your local ER and explain you feel like hurting yourself and are afraid of doing so and they will be happy to help.

[Tumnus]

Originally Posted by mistymi

becareful what you say i have had the cops called on me, while i was in the office before by saying that and was taken to the hospital in handcuffs.
after that i quit going to any professional, and i do not recommend that.
just be extremely careful.

So, did you know they called? Could you have walked out before the cops came?

[Tumnus]

Originally Posted by gimmeice

Now if they feel that you are in danger they can get a court order to have you put into a psych ward

Does the court order get carried out by the police?

[marianne rose]

Perhaps you need to find a different hospital. The one I went into was quite good. Everyone who worked there lived to help you. The first night I was there I went to call my son to give him the numbers where he could reach me. I had to leave a message and then went back to my room to read. Within 60 seconds an aide was in my doorway asking if everything was okay. I had no idea anyone was watching me. It was not invasive at all. If you have a good doc and a good relationship with him/her you should be able to negotiate the conditions of you stay. You should be able to say I'm not getting much benefit from this I think it's time for me to leave. If you don't feel you have that kind of relationship with your doc you might consider looking for someone new. You need someone who will hear you and respond. If you don't have that now it's time to make some decisions. Nowhere does it say you can't change docs. It's your right. I'm lucky enough to have a doc who answers his own phone and responds to messages himself. He doesn't have an office staff you have to go through. Sometimes, well, often the gatekeepers get in the way. Don't give up. Check out other options. You made it to today and I pray you have the strength to make it to tomorrow. Make one call to a different hospital and ask for a referral. A new doc with a new plan for you could make all the difference. Take good care of yourself, please.

Originally Posted by Tumnus

Was in for ten days last winter... I know it's safe. Not sure I can call it great. Feeling ambivalent about a return visit. Think it should be on my terms, not a doc's terms. Need the blessing and thank you for it. Not sure about being back but keep hoping for me.

[imapatient]

What I've done, and believe to be what you can say in session: That I'm very suicidal and that I have a plan/a method to do it. That hasn't gotten me taken in, nor did I go in. I was like that for a looong time. If you say you're about to do it, I think they are required to have you taken in. I've never said that.

I say this so that you won't hold back on talking about the seriousness of your suicidal feelings. Nothing should stand in the way of that.

[mistymi]

Originally Posted by Tumnus

So, did you know they called? Could you have walked out before the cops came?

no i did not know they called he said that he had an emergency call to make. if i knew i would have walked out. when i knew was when the cops walked in and told me to get up

[Tumnus]

Originally Posted by imapatient

What I've done, and believe to be what you can say in session: That I'm very suicidal and that I have a plan/a method to do it. That hasn't gotten me taken in, nor did I go in. I was like that for a looong time. If you say you're about to do it, I think they are required to have you taken in. I've never said that.

I say this so that you won't hold back on talking about the seriousness of your suicidal feelings. Nothing should stand in the way of that.

Thanks. I had an appointment today and I couldn't quite get out how bad I'm doing, but I tried to push myself farther than I wanted to go. I did at least say that I'm spiralling down and mentioned the thoughts of death I've had lately. Nothing about revisiting a plan or anything because we ran out of time.

[Capp]

Originally Posted by mistymi

no i did not know they called he said that he had an emergency call to make. if i knew i would have walked out. when i knew was when the cops walked in and told me to get up

((mistymi))
It could have been handled in a much better way...
I'm so very sorry it was done this way.
You deserved to be shown more respect and treated with dignity.

In time I hope you can believe there are professionals that do not advocate this kind of thing. They do exist...

My thoughts are with you,
Cap