[Mysticallbutterflys]

I was just wondering... if i was to talk to a therapist or doctor about self harm and everything else wrong. What would happen? Would they make me go to therapy or put me in a psychward? I'm scared.

[Sam2]

Originally Posted by Mysticallbutterflys

I was just wondering... if i was to talk to a therapist or doctor about self harm and everything else wrong. What would happen? Would they make me go to therapy or put me in a psychward? I'm scared.

Take a deep breath. You are among friends here. Going to a therapist usually doesn't wind up with the patient in the psychward. That is usually reserved for people who are in iminant danger of hurting themselves seriously or hurting someone else.

When you go into a therapist, you don't have to tell them everything all at once. In fact, I don't think I would until I knew for sure that the therapist was one I was going to get along with well. You don't always match up well with the first one you go to. There are personality differences, and what one person likes in a therapist may not be what you want.

Once you find one you can trust, you can start with the lesser things and work up to the problems that cause you the most trouble. I do think you should tell the therapist that you are self harming though. Every symptom you have is a piece in a puzzle that the therapist has to put together. They can tell a lot from body language, eye contact and voice, but ultimately need you to fill in the blanks.

I believe the longest they can keep you in a hospital is 72hrs, although I might be wrong. That would be for serious things such as attempts on your life or self harming that is endangering you. Even though superficial cuts and deep lacerations come from the same source, one is clearly more dangerous than the other. They don't want you in a hospital anymore than you want to be in one.

Do a spot check online of therapists in your area. There are some therapists who have sites that will give you information concerning their education, specialty and often comments from patients. Those can be helpful in narrowing the list before you pick up the phone book. Decide if you would be more comfortable with a male or female therapist, and then whether you think you want a psychiatrist, which is a Dr. who can perscribe medications if needed, (sometimes those are short term to get you through the initial crisis), or a psychologist who may have a PhD by isn't a medical Dr. Some people use both. One for medications and one for talk therapy.

Try not to let your fear keep you from seeking help. If you broke your arm, you wouldn't try to fix it yourself, and emotional and psychiatric illnesses are no different. You have probably run out of ways to "fix it" yourself, and now its time to get a professional involved.

Sam2