risk of talking about suicidal ideation on therapy?

[qwert3948]

probably a redundant post since among people here it's very well known talking about your suicidal ideation is a huge no-no, but i've been thinking if therapy has actually helped anyone with it at all (before they lock you up that is).
i'm coming back to a new one after a long time without doing it and i just had a fleeting thought about mentioning it or not.

 

[ma0]

I've been in and out of therapy twice, hasn't helped at all. I never actually shared my suicidal ideation tho, so that may be part of it.

If your aim is to fully recover though, perhaps it's worth a try, but if you at all feel that your needs aren't being met, I'd back out.

 

[grapevoid]

probably a redundant post since among people here it's very well known talking about your suicidal ideation is a huge no-no, but i've been thinking if therapy has actually helped anyone with it at all (before they lock you up that is).
i'm coming back to a new one after a long time without doing it and i just had a fleeting thought about mentioning it or not.

I don't agree that it's off limits. You should be honest with your therapist about your suicidal ideation. If you're worried about getting sent to the hospital, ask your therapist at the beginning about their mandatory reporting requirements. I've spoken to my therapist about my suicidal ideation in depth. But I never admit to having a plan or gathering means for my method because she would be required to report that.

 

[Spicy Tteokbokki]

I've talked about my SI many, many times with various therapists. It's only when you say you have a plan/research how to carry it out and are self harming and wanna die actively that they start to be really alarmed and might want to put you into a ward in my experience.
If I am afraid of sharing things with my therapist once I've warmed up to her, then there's no point going imo.

 

[zulu123]

I discuss my SI very often with my therapist. I don't need to be hospitalised unless I have a plan and intentions to carry out the plan in the near future

 

[snwcolt]

Yeah I begin every conversation with my therapist by saying "I do not currently have any plans on actively harming myself" I've found that I get a pretty good amount of freedom to express my motivation to harm myself after saying this

 

[qwert3948]

thank u for the comments! i'll keep in mind that i just shouldn't mention intention :)

 

[Redleaf1992]

It always good to know your therapists policy around confidentality. Gives u confidence to know what you can and can't say.

I've shared loads of things with my psychologist after building trust SI, SS, SN and shit that went down for instance. I know that I'm safe as long as I don't say I'm about to do it, and it really helps to be open.

 

[iset]

Yeah I begin every conversation with my therapist by saying "I do not currently have any plans on actively harming myself" I've found that I get a pretty good amount of freedom to express my motivation to harm myself after saying this

Like a disclaimer somehow... Good idea!!

 

[ultraparadise]

I have told people about my desire to end my own life and not be here with the constant suffering compared to very little happiness, and I have also told people about my plans yet I haven't gotten locked up which I actually kind of wanted to happen... It might be because of the country I live in and it's policies or whatever, but I don't know.

 

[SkyFlower]

Depends on the therapist tbh, usually the line is that you can talk about it but have to specify that you don't have "intent" and they're just thoughts. If you cross that they may (probably) call the cops on you.

 

[qwert3948]

I have told people about my desire to end my own life and not be here with the constant suffering compared to very little happiness, and I have also told people about my plans yet I haven't gotten locked up which I actually kind of wanted to happen... It might be because of the country I live in and it's policies or whatever, but I don't know.

that's understandable! i also think it depends on the country and how seriously ppl there take these things. it happened to me the first time when i went to the hospital for aid after a 'serious' attempt and they immediatelly locked me up there upon knowing i just attempted and was in health risk from it, and ever since then every psychiatrist i meet has been very quick to say i need to be locked up again.

id recomend you search the quality of psych wards in your country and city since very often it can be more damaging to you than not. (both socially, from having it in your curriculum/being known and the actual stay there), so then you can evaluate better if you'd like to go :) you can also call emergency services on yourself if you feel it's needed!

 

[seizmic_purple]

It always good to know your therapists policy around confidentality. Gives u confidence to know what you can and can't say.

I've shared loads of things with my psychologist after building trust SI, SS, SN and shit that went down for instance. I know that I'm safe as long as I don't say I'm about to do it, and it really helps to be open.

Exactly, and I would add to this that it is a good idea to discuss it with the therapist who should be familiar with 1) practices related to certain modalities (for example, in transactional analysis, they can suggest you sign a contract in which you state that you will not hurt yourself, and 2) laws of the country related to confidentiality in cases such as suicide (I am not familiar with the details, but differences exist). This is your right as a patient/client and I don't even think you need to explain why you are initiating this conversation.
I mentioned it to one therapist in the past but was very careful about framing it. I specifically outlined that I am using the idea as a coping mechanism, which is probably true up to a degree but not the full story. I planned on assessing how the therapist would react and see whether there is more room for sharing, but they just mostly stayed silent.

 

[notrllycherub]

I've been going to therapy for two years (I stopped a few months ago bcs I'm about to finish high school) and honestly it was one of the best choices I could ever make. I was very lucky to have a therapist that changed my perspective on a lot of things and helped me with my depression and suicidal thoughts. I think that the kind of therapy you choose and patience are the most important parts of making progress, so I really encourage you to give it a chance, because it does help in the long run.

As for talking about suicidal ideation with your therapist, procedures are different in every country. I'd suggest mentioning it, but you need to make it clear that you don't have any plans if you don't want to be hospitalised. You need to be honest with your therapist if you want therapy to actually work. Remember, that they are here to help you. I wish you the best, good luck<33