How close to suicide do i have to come before it's an "emergency"? My pdoc says if i become suicidal i can come in without an appointment but i don't know what is really considered suicidal.

On a related note, I feel like I have a hard time communicating with my doc about how my moods have been. By nature I'm friendly and personable with most people, including my doc, so I find myself being a little too polite and casual when answering his questions. So when I do try and describe feeling especially down or having fits of anger etc I almost feel like he doesn't believe me because that's not how I appear at the time... does that make sense? If i say I think constantly about suicide but I'm not screaming or sobbing it seems untrue. I just don't want to be a problem, I don't want to seem dramatic or like i'm exaggerating so I'm quiet and polite and I don't get the help I'm afraid I need...

How close to suicide do i have to come before it's an "emergency"? My pdoc says if i become suicidal i can come in without an appointment but i don't know what is really considered suicidal.

On a related note, I feel like I have a hard time communicating with my doc about how my moods have been. By nature I'm friendly and personable with most people, including my doc, so I find myself being a little too polite and casual when answering his questions. So when I do try and describe feeling especially down or having fits of anger etc I almost feel like he doesn't believe me because that's not how I appear at the time... does that make sense? If i say I think constantly about suicide but I'm not screaming or sobbing it seems untrue. I just don't want to be a problem, I don't want to seem dramatic or like i'm exaggerating so I'm quiet and polite and I don't get the help I'm afraid I need...

IMHO, I think you should be more revealing to your doc about how you feel. I understand exactly what you mean as I have had the exact same thoughts. I have always maintained my composure however, when I have to answer some of those questions they ask I most often can not hold back a tear or two.
I'd say it's okay to act how you feel. No worries! Just let out what you feel is relevant and let them sort the rest of it out!! You are paying the doc the big bucks, right. There is always tissue near by :)
Once you get everything managed how it needs to be managed then you will feel much better.
If my suggestions do not work to your satisfaction then please try another doc. I have gone through more then a handful to find the right one. Hang in there! ;)

Hi,

I tend to be the same way - reserved. polite, not showing how I really feel.
I've gotten better about it recently, though; if I'm not honest, they can't help me.

I don't think you should wait until you're sure you're suicidal to get help right away. If you find yourself feeling you can't stand things anymore and are thinking about self-harm, then go right away. Remember the doctor is there to help you - and wants you to feel better. Would he rather have you be a "problem" - or a suicide statistic?

And I'm sure he doesn't see you as a problem, either. Just someone who needs help. If he does indicate you're a problem, then get to another doc.

Please don't push it too far, okay?

Seaturtle

I was the same way too...it was hard to express what was going on inside me because I was so used to keeping my feelings to myself so as to not burden other people - even the doctors! At your next appointment - or even sooner, if you're feeling pressured, take a deep breath and be honest and tell the doctor that you're having these thoughts and feelings and that it's hard to talk about. Just because you're not sobbing doesn't mean you're not sad, it means you're just very good at covering your feelings. Come back to these message boards a lot - they sure have helped me. I'll be looking for ya! Good luck!

My BP ex had expressed that she "thought" about suicide at times. I got concerned and immediately drove her to a mental health clinic. They told me that their was nothing they could do because she didn't have a "plan" to take her life.
Over the years, I have come to the conclusion that mental health pros do not equate the "thoughts" of suicide as a significant danger.

When you have decided, what you're going to do, where you're going to do it, and how you're going to do it.....get in the car, and go to the hospital.

Tell them your "plan". They will listen to you. They will not question you.

Sometimes the most reserved people, are the ones that need the most help. Things are buried very deep. They know this. Unfortunately, unless you learn to express your pain, they have nothing to work with.

Keep us posted, please.....

Lil

Hko,

How are you feeling now?? Are your feelings getting worse? Please don't consider your venting a rant - you would be suprised how many people here really do care about how you are feeling....i do.

Since I haven't seen you post before - I've never talked to you, but I check posts everyday and do respond.

If you don't mind my asking...are you being treated with meds? - Do you think your on the right one?

You said that you don't feel like your able to communicate with the pDr. - Is it possible that you look for a new one? I know it is important to feel like you are getting through to the doctor who is treating you.

(((((Hug)))))) Please let us know :bouncing:

Hi hko...I was just checking back to see how you're doing...drop us a note, ok, it doesn't have to be a long one, just say hi every so often LOL

Hi Hko,
I feel your frustration, i to have the same problem. My counselor made me feel very uncomfortable and it just felt weird to say i felt suicidcal when i was sitting there calm. I couldnt truly express how i felt, i mean i was dying inside an i tried to tell him but he just didnt get it.
I had cuts on my arms and legs, i was depressed and crying and he basically said i had to go check myself in the hospital before they would take me serious.
I just dont get it sometimes:confused: I hope your feeling better today, please post and let us know how you are doing, alot of us know and understand what your going through:) Hugs Tee

Hi Hko,
I feel your frustration, i to have the same problem. My counselor made me feel very uncomfortable and it just felt weird to say i felt suicidcal when i was sitting there calm. I couldnt truly express how i felt, i mean i was dying inside an i tried to tell him but he just didnt get it.
I had cuts on my arms and legs, i was depressed and crying and he basically said i had to go check myself in the hospital before they would take me serious.
I just dont get it sometimes:confused: I hope your feeling better today, please post and let us know how you are doing, alot of us know and understand what your going through:) Hugs Tee

(((((((( Huggs )))))))))))

Just thinking about you and hoping your doing better.... T

One way to let your docs know how you feel is to write it all out and hand it to them. I had to do this with my doc some time ago and it helped big time.

Not all docs (psych or otherwise) wait till a suicide plan is in place to take action to help a person. In your case, keep going back till you get the help you need.

take care, i hope you feel better soon.

I lived in Toronto, a few years back.

I was feeling suicidal, and went downtown to CAMH....(Centres for Addiciton and Mental Health)....world famous for their work.

I spoke to the Doctor, he was convinced that I was suicidal. I had not actually decided where and when...I knew how.

He told me that while I should be admitted, that I scored 3 out of 5 on the suicide risk criteria scale. He could not admit me.

When I asked why, he told me...."because it's possible that a 5 out of 5 may walk in here any minute."

Strangely enough, that made me feel better somehow....I was ok to go home after that.

Lil