[NP_Complete]

Do you tell your therapist when you're having suicidal thoughts? If not, why not?
Do you tell in person or by email/text/voice mail?
Are you straightforward about it or do you kind of hint around the issue? If you hint, do they tend to pick up on what you're getting at?
What kind of reaction do you get? What kinds of questions do they ask you?

I'm curious what your experience is.

[ruh roh]

I am straightforward about it. Depending on the situation, she generally uses the information to get me thinking about what triggered it and, based on that, what to do to turn that around or to at least get a breather. It's not as simple as I've written it, and it takes longer than a session or more, but this is the gist.

[zoiecat]

I do not volunteer and tell my T because when I am in this state I only have the goal to be successful. He knows that I don't talk about this subject for attention or to be talked out of it. He always makes me fill out a 4 question survey each week about how I have been feeling over the previous 7 days. When he sees that I have had a bad week he will usually ask how about my sui thoughts and unfortunately he knows that I won't lie so I will tell him the bare minimum. We have spent a few entire sessions with him trying to understand my thoughts and reasoning on the subject and he continues to try to get me to agree to a one year contract which I keep telling is not going to happen. He then makes me commit until the next session and this will go on each session until he feels I am in a better state. I keep him in the dark mostly and will never reveal the extent of my intent.

He is really good about it. He always remains calm and simply wants to know and understand why. He tries hard to get me to give up the option and commit 100% to getting better. He knows I don't like talking about it and I don't like sharing any secrets about my plan. He does not seem to get frustrated with me although he has stated that I scare him sometimes. He will not let me leave unless I commit until the next session.

[LonesomeTonight]

I've mostly shared suicidal thoughts with T and marriage counselor after the fact, rather than when I'm feeling them. I have contacted them (by phone or text) when I was feeling that way, but I've said something like, "I'm in a bad place right now," or "I'm really struggling." I was worried to say what I was really feeling because I was afraid they'd call 911 on me. And I didn't want cops/ambulance showing up at my house.

The couple times that I called T or MC late at night when I was feeling that way (but wasn't specific with them about the feelings), one of the first things they said to me was "Is this an emergency?" or "Do you need to go to the ER?" T later told me that calling late at night is already a red flag, that something is seriously wrong.

When I've told them about the feelings after the fact, they've just seemed accepting of it. I shared what I was feeling and the reasons I thought I was feeling it. Once or twice, they asked if I still felt that way, and I said no. I imagine it would have been different if I'd contacted them while I was still in that state...

Edited to add: You asked about the hinting. Recently, I told MC that I felt "hopeless"--his serious, concerned reaction suggested he got what I was implying. Then I mentioned that I'd had "Fleeting thoughts" without using the "s" word, and he clearly seemed to get what I meant. I later used the actual word in an e-mail, just to make sure he knew what I meant (while reassuring him that it was just that brief period, and I was OK now.)

[captgut]

T knows I'm suicidal and often asks me how do I feel.
He can ask: "Have you choosen the place, the date and the method?"
When I told him I love him, he asked: "I hope it was not a confession before commiting suicide?"
He always says he would grieve if i killed myself.

I am straightforward about it. I feel safe with him, and we talk about my possible suicide quite often. It makes me feel sad, but i think it's important

[ScarletPimpernel]

I'm upfront with my T when I'm feeling suicidal. I'll tell her in person or via email. We don't talk about it much. She just asks if I can stick to our safety plan. I've always been able to. Part of my safety plan is to call her if my other coping skills don't work. I've called her a few times. We talk about what's going on, she reassures me and encourages me. It's always got me through. She has never over reacted or threatened to hospitalize me.

[stopdog]

No. To me, it is none of their business.

[annielovesbacon]

I have not. I have considered it, but I think it would be fruitless because when I am suicidal, I intend on being successful. I have no desire to have a "safety net" or emergency contact number because if I was truly ready to kill myself, I would not want to be stopped. I can talk myself out of suicide better than any person can, even a mental health professional.

[anais_anais]

I am straightforward with my Ts about it. It's one of the few topics I can bring up easily. I don't know why, but bringing it up does not phase me, maybe because it was a consistent part of my reality for many years and I used to take it for granted that I felt that way.

Both my Ts are very even-keeled about it. No worrying, no strong reaction. We talk about plans to keep me safe and grounded during the week, explore what might have caused the sui ideations if I feel like discussing it, and arrange an email or phone check-in if needed.

Once in a while when I am feeling needy, I wish they'd show more concern (they do express concern about other things) but I did have one therapist a very long time ago who would make a big deal over it-- and that was distressing to me. If they stay calm, I tend to become calm too.

[vishva8kumara]

Not suicide thoughts per-se, but I have been open with her on self harm and how I regretted later. She didn't follow on that topic much further.