[AllyH88]

Hello,

I have an appointment coming up with a pdoc to be evaluated for therapy.

What do I have to reveal to him/her? Do I have to tell them if I've made a suicide attempt? Would that be considered withholding information? I feel it's too private to share, even with my potential therapist. For those who are wondering why, well, I feel that this information could be turned against me in the future (ie. it shows a potential for impulse/harming myself even though I only tried once) and I don't want to ever be hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and also, I know I'm going to be asked about what I did in detail and I just don't want to do that because it's too painful.

Thanks.

((((((((((((((((((AllyH88)))))))))))))))))))))))

I dont' think you have to share anything you don't want to share. If you are actively feeling suicidal right NOW, then that is certainly something pdoc needs to know. If you attempted in the past....I don't know if you have to share that.

I didn't share many things about myself until I was WELL into therapy. We are talking almost a year into therapy. It was fine, he accepted the things I told him just like he has always accepted me.

Good luck with your appointment....

[chaotic13]

I have a friend who when she started therapy she had to go through some pre-screening procedure with some person, before getting "assigned" a T. I would NOT like that at all, but you have to do what you have to do to get through the system and get help.

I would say...do your best to be honest when asked specific questions, but I would not feel obligated to tell all.

[sunrise]

AllyH88, I think if you keep the focus on now, it is fine, not what you may have done in the past. The pdoc will want to know how you feel now, your mood, energy level, anxiety, ability to focus, sleep, or whatever complaints bring you to see him. He needs to know so he can prescribe you meds for what you need now--at least that is the typical function of the pdoc these days. Is that why you are seeing him? I'm not sure because you said you were seeing him to be evaluated for therapy and I'm not sure what that means. Do you mean medication therapy? Or might he take you on as a therapy client? (Not that many pdocs do therapy these days.)

I have seen two individual therapists, a family therapist with my daughter, and one PNP (for meds), and none of them asked me about suicide attempts in my past. My PNP did ask me if I had suicidal thoughts in the last month, or something like that--a stock question from a screening instrument.

[snowflakes]

AllyH88,

I think you need not to tell it all at your Pdoc right now. There are always time for everything. If you feel like not talking or discussing it with your Pdoc, then don't. And besides, most of the Pdoc are not into rush to know everything about certain patient/client. Catharsis or abreaction is a serious and is actually the start or focal point of everything. It is i guess the heart and soul of the whole therapy. It is where everything begins. What I am saying here is that, as soon as you feel like telling or relenting it to your therapist, then I guess, that is the time to talk about everything. Remember the word "rapport". For if there is no rapport that is being established between you and your therapist, then there is no point if pushing through with you therapy session.

Take Care and God bless!!!

Snowflakes

[AllyH88]

Thank you all for answering!

I really appreciate your comments. I guess my belief has always been to put everything out onto the table at once, so an honest assessment could be made about me. However, I don't want to be seen as a liar, or feel that I am misrepresenting myself by not revealing all at once.

My fear really centres on what to say if I'm asked flat out:"Have you ever attempted suicide?" If I say no, then that's definitely a lie. So on that issue I'm still unsure. At the same time, as Earthmama and Snowflakes mentioned, it would probably be best to take the time to build a rapport FIRST with my therapist.

Sunrise:

To answer your question, my situation is as Chaotic described. It's a pre-screening sort of evaluation to determine which therapy is best suited for me. I was told it would be with a psychiatrist, though the actual therapist I'm assigned to may not necessarily be one.

[kittykins9]

Hi Ally,

On the other hand-- if he prescreening determines whether you get therapy, it might be worth mentioning. I know it's in the past and there's a way to present this information that minimizes it.

It would go something like this
Doc: "Have you ever attempted suicide?"
You: "Yes, once, but that was very long ago, and I can definitely say I am not suicidal nor do I intend to act on suicidal feelings if they occur again."

Okay-- follow up question
Doc: "How long ago was that"
You: "That was several years ago. It ws a difficult time, and I would really like to talk about why I'm here today."

Just a thought- it may be worth sharing because it does talk about the severity of the condition in your past, which may make it easier to get a therapist and or pdoc sooner.

Just a thought, but I know it's scary to share that kind of stuff.

Kkins

[MissCharlotte]

((Ally))

i think Kitty brings up a good point. Being honest about your needs might bring the right kind of help in the right time frame.

On the other hand, I don't think you should do or say anything you don't feel safe with. Why not see how you feel at the time of the interview?

Best of luck. Let us know how you make out.

[AllyH88]

Thanks! I will let you know how it all works out.

Kittykins:

That's a great script! I will remember that when I go for my appointment (still not for a couple of weeks).

MissCharlotte:

Good idea just to wait and see how I feel at the time of the appointment. As simple as it sounds, it something I've never actually done.

[ECHOES]

Trust them to know the difference between having attempted once in the past and your present state. When the answer to that question is Yes, often they just want to know when as part of the assessment of your current state of mind. They may ask what prompted it, if that is known. They may ask how the attempt was made, etc.

I have always answered truthfully, Yes. It has never been used against me. It felt good to be able to talk about it calmly and clinically. I did not minimize it or say much about it, I just answered the questions they asked because I trusted they had good reason to be asking.

I wonder how you would feel afterwards and during treatment if you did censor that information. That might feel awkward and difficult to me.

[searchingmysoul]

Hi Ally!

I guess that I think mentioning a history of a suicide attempt is both important for your initial screening and your therapy in general. You may find that the PDoc just touches on the basics like kittykins mentioned, how long ago, whether you have ideation right now, etc... On the other hand if the time comes and you don't say anything about it, it's not the end of the world. You will have plenty of time, I hope, to discuss it with your T if you choose and when the time is right for you.

Good luck!

~Searching

[phoenix7]

I understand your fear about being locked up in a mental institution - that is always at the back of my mind when I have discussed Su thoughts - I recently saw a pdoc - I had to see the mental health nurse first who wnet through a load of questions - I was honest about what i was asked - previous suicide attempts was not a question asked

then a week later I saw the pdoc - she didnt really ask about what brought me there - I was honest when she asked me questions - but i didnt volunteer things - there is no trust between us yet - but thats just me

if you are going for an eval to get a T then it may be an idea to tell them if it comes up as kittykins9 said - I liked her script - it shows you had a problem but were ok now - if you are not ok now - I think they need to know that too - its hard... I hope it works out for you P7

[nowheretorun]

Originally Posted by AllyH88

Hello,

I have an appointment coming up with a pdoc to be evaluated for therapy.

What do I have to reveal to him/her? Do I have to tell them if I've made a suicide attempt? Would that be considered withholding information? I feel it's too private to share, even with my potential therapist. For those who are wondering why, well, I feel that this information could be turned against me in the future (ie. it shows a potential for impulse/harming myself even though I only tried once) and I don't want to ever be hospitalized in a psychiatric ward, and also, I know I'm going to be asked a<object

Thanks.

i dont think we need to reveal everything, but what we harbor will still be placed where it is found when the storm comes in.... we can reveal to ourselves our own truths and to the wind.... it always listens.....

hope its ok i replied