Going to therapy and talking about self injury....?

Question

After dealing with self-injury and depression for a long time now, I've decided to get help. I've seen other therapists before, but they have never helped. I've never opened up. So now, I'm willing to talk about it, about my problems, but am worried about the confidentiality regarding my si. I'm not going to lie. I have had thoughts of suicide, but I've never attempted anything. I'm just worried I'm going to end up in a hospital.

Would my therapist have to keep it confidential? I'm 21 by the way.

Answer 1

You're over 18.  So you're an adult.  which means everything you tell you're therapist is between the two of you. To end up in the hospital, you need to either be a danger to yourself or to others.  So if the therapist thinks you're at a high risk of attempting suicide or seriously harming yourself, he or she could require you to be assessed by a mental hospital to see if they think you need to stay there.  I wouldn't worry about it too much though.  A friend of mine was sent to the emergency room after a suicide attempt and afterwards was put in a mental health hospital for only a week.  She is doing much better now too.

best of luck, and stay strong <3

Answer 2

they keep everyting confidential unless it appears there is some type of immediate danger.. so dont go in like... oh im gonna kill myself today... but keep it real with the therapist. they do help when u wanna help urself.  

Answer 3

The way you describe things here gives a very good insight into your worries. Copy your question into a WORD document, print it out and take it along for the first session.

Say hello and then say you have some worries about therapy as such. If you feel like you could find the right words to express what you mean, say it; if not, hand over the little slip of paper with your question printed onto it.

Everything you say stays between you and your therapist, unless there is an imminent thread. Saying that you have thought about suicide does not mean your therapist is going to drop you off at the nearest Mental Health Unit. Any therapist you see is used to talking to people who have some sort of problem they need help with, and you´d be amazed at how many of those people at one point thought about suicide. Your therapist will be able to place your statements in the context of a longer talk, and put it into perspective, mostly by experience.

As you´re worried about whether or not this therapy is going to help, please stress the fact that you´ve had problems opening up in earlier attempts at therapy. Try to find out (alone or with your therapist) why that was the case: did you not trust the other therapists? Did you just not like them as people (perfectly okay reason)? Etc.

Good luck. :)

Answer 4

Your therapist is required by law to keep your health information private.  As for the thoughts of suicide, you'll be asked if you feel that way now, as well as in the past, so be prepared for that.  You won't end up in a hospital unless you say you're going to kill yourself, and even then still may not.  That you are willing  to open up is good, try to find a therapist you click with, so that you'll feel even more comfortable.

It's good that you've decided to get help for self injury; I understand needing to talk about it in your own time.  I've got dermatillomania, which is a compulsive skin picking disorder, and have just decided that it is the time that I can talk about it.  It's a deeply private, personal thing, and is something I've been dealing with for 30 years.

Good luck with therapy!