[Dani]

Today my T wanted to make a crisis plan with me, she said it's something the mental health center is doing for all clients to have in their files. It really annoyed me for some reason, I guess because we spent the whole session doing it and I feel like it was a waste of my time. While we were working on it, all I could do is sit there and stare at the paper she was writing on and focus on the fact that she spelled negative wrong. I just don't understand the point of doing a crisis plan because I know what I do to cope and she knows what I do, and they are healthy things, so why do we need to spend a whole session writing it on paper? Basically what I got out of it all is that I need to reach out to people more and ask for help when I need it, but it's such a hard thing for me to do because I've spent most of my life keeping everything to myself and coping on my own.

Has anyone else done a crisis plan, and did it help you at all?

Ack, that sounds like a frustrating way to spend a session. I'm sorry.

T and I recently talked about me having a crisis plan. I *think* I know what to do, but then in the moment, sometimes I forget. Since you reminded me, I might make one for myself. Then I just have to remember to look at in when I'm having a crisis

Would it bother you to share a little bit of what was on it? If you are sick of talking about it, after spending session on it, I totally understand.

[darkrunner]

I hear your frustration and disappointment about your session.

I think having the crisis plan in writing is smart. Sometimes in a crisis people are so upset they forget what to do. Also, having it in writing makes makes you more likely to remember it and to use it.

It is hard for me to reach out to people too, and ask for help when I need it. It is good you are aware of that - keep working on it and practicing and it will become easier.

[WePow]

Dani, I did have one of sorts last year. I am actually building another with my T today! It is something that is good to have so you will know what you need to do in order to stay safe if the bottom falls out. It is a very good therapy tool, even if you are already doing the right thing. It also allows a T to help you remember your steps if you are in a crisis.

[sugahorse1]

I think it's a very useful plan to have. When we crash and feel helpless, we cannot think logically. So, having made this plan with the help of T, and while thinking logically, it gives us a great reference point to look up.
It may seem frustrating now, but I think that if you need to use it one day, you'll realise how helpful it is

[Dani]

Thanks for all your responses. I guess it's not a bad idea to have one in place, just so I know what to do.

Basically, the plan included this:

Symptoms that I have that I know I need help: Having thoughts of hurting myself, having negative thoughts about myself, and isolating myself in my house.

Coping skills I can use: listen to music, play with my cats, watch a movie or tv show, or take a xanax

People in my support system to call: my sister, my fiance, my friends

Emergency numbers to call: my T

Other emergency numbers to call: mental health center crisis line, 911

[jilliebeanmn]

I've been hospitalized for my depression several times and have always been required to form a crisis or "safety" plan before I was discharged. To be honest, I never looked at the darn thing after I left.

[Fartraveler]

I kind of like the idea of having a crisis plan. I've never made one, and my T has never suggested it. I particularly like Step 1, keeping track of symptoms -- I definitely tend to slip into bad places without realizing it (until too late).

Do you have an external way of knowing when the symptoms are out of control? Like when you are isolating too much? Or when thoughts of SI are just normal, or when they are too frequent or too extreme?

-Far

[WikidPissah]

I never sat and did a crisis plan with my T...but looking at yours I can say the hardest thing for me would be realizing I am in crisis. I tend to minimize everything, so I hardly admit that I feel badly enough to get help.

It would really bother me if a whole session was spent on paperwork instead of on me. Can you maybe let her know that bothered you?

[sugahorse1]

I think it would be a good exercise, but also don't think I would actually use it. There have been a few issues I have discussed with my T, which would basically be part of my crisis plan