Telling psychiatrist about cutting and suicidal thoughts...?

Question

Ok. So sooner or later I'm gonna have to go see this psychiatrist for an evaluation or to see if i need meds [not sure which one]. With previous psychologists and stuff i lied about alot of things and now i know that i really shouldnt have because then im not gettin the help i need. so, im gonna hopefully tell the truth this time around... the thing im kinda worried about tho is what happens after i tell the truth. im thinkin bout tellin them that i do cut myself [before i said i used to do it, and that i stopped] and explain how the suicidal thoughts come about and stuff.

if i tell them that i cut myself not everyday, not even every week, but pretty often and that i am kinda suicidal [thats kinda complicated to explain], and alot of other things that i didnt tell the other psychologists or that they didnt really pay much attention to [anger issues, mood swings, my very very low trust with alot of people, sexual harassment that happened this year and is over with but doesnt have anything to do with the start of the feelings because i been feeling that for much longer, previous bullying when i was younger, family and friend issues in the past and present.. ect.] what will they do? what will they tell my mom? will they send me to the hospital or something? are these things i should be bringing up to the psychiatrist from the start?? im kinda confused about all this..

btw, no abuse in the past..

Answer 1

They won't lock you up, My sister does cutting to "relieve the pain" and is suicidal sometimes and has been raped, She goes to a phyciatric center and gets the meds she needs, not just meds, but therapy as well. Just tell them you've had suicidal thoughts but haven't for a long time. You'll get the help you need. They don't tell my mom anything because it is confidential and they won't lock you up for evaluation unless you want to kill yourself right now. Be careful with your wording. And be honest, you won't get the right help if you're not, you may have a condition..same as my sister, bi-polar disorder and that is something that can be treated, but not if you're not honest. Don't be afraid of help, fear is powerful and can keep you from getting the help you need. If you don't you may end up killing yourself, no one wants that. Your life is worth something, even if you don't see it. Please go seek help.

Answer 2

BE HONEST and face your problems.  You are wasting time and money if you aren't honest and up front and face your demons.  You go because you want help...so get it.  If your shrink thinks you need to be hospitalized then go.  It isn't what you think it is.  It is safe and full of wonderful people who are trained to listen and talk to you and get your thinking on a more positive note.  It isn't shock treatments and padded rooms etc....unless you are violent!

You will eventually find the answers you are seeking..but you have to walk to the other side of that darkness to get to the light honey.  You have to face it and be courageous and have enough trust in yourself that you can do it.

Will it be painful?  Yes. Facing disappointments and unresolved feelings and things you have hidden by cutting and everything else...are numbed by those experiences.  You will have to bring them out and talk about them and you will see they are not as bad as you think they are.  Once you get through it...you will wonder why you didn't go that way first.  You have to figure out why you are so distrustful and so afraid and so self loathing that you want to harm yourself and cut yourself.

Please be truthful and help yourself.  Tell them everything.  

Just because you feel suicidal doesn't mean you are.  It is an indication that you are really getting desperate...and only they can judge how serious you are about it.

You will need medication to slow down your thoughts..but not that you will be a zombie...you can function very well.....it isn't like it used to be...

They  might be able to help you find a support group so you can be with others with your problems so you know you aren't alone. Sometimes knowing others are feeling the same way makes you realize the problems you have are shared by many others and you help each other out.  It is a great experience....you gain so much insight with others around !

I am a therapist....so I know.  All I can say is go into it and embrace it and welcome it.  Walk through it with help and honesty so you can get on with life.  It is beautiful and so worth living without all you are going through now.

HELP yourself....no one can do that but you!  OK?

PLEASE...be honest and do what you have to do.  Don't be ashamed and don't be afraid.  Hold your head up.  It is taking a lot of courage and a lot of love for yourself that you are doing this.  

Stay strong!

Susanna

Answer 3

I see that someone had said they're going to lock you up. Don't worry, they're not. Lying surely won't help you anymore, and they may or may not tell you parents. It depends on how serious they think it is. But, you should still tell them everything, because they may be able to help you. I highly doubt that they'll lock you up, though.

Answer 4

No they won't tell your mom. They will ask you if you have a plan or if you just feel like not living anymore. If you have a plan to like kill yourself tonight, they might put you into 72 hour suicide watch. If you are just thinking about death tell them that. The psychiatrist will ask you eventually in the evaluation.

Don't lie to them. You won't get help that way. I know first hand. It is okay to tell them things.  

Answer 5

I had issues like that when I was younger too.  I cut myself, attempted suicide, and had a bit of an eating disorder.  The thing is... it doesn't matter what you tell your psychiatrist because they cannot "save" you.  The only person that can save you is YOU!  Do you want to change?  Do you want to get better?  The psychiatrist is there to stand by your side as you make changes in your own life, but there is nothing that he/she can do to make you change yourself.  Medication can help but it can also be a rough road to figuring out which medication is right and works best for you.  Hospitalization is not being "locked up".  Think of it as a treatment facility with people around you 24/7 to talk to if you need to talk.  It doesn't have to be something to be afraid of.  If you are a risk to yourself they are there to make sure that you don't do anything that you would regret.

Think of the lyrics to Three Days Grace - It's never too late:

"Now and again we try

To just stay alive

Maybe we'll turn it all around

'Cause it's not too late

It's never too late"

Things in your life will change as you become an adult.  Just work on surviving and "staying alive" until you are there.  It is a totally different world and you don't want to miss the opportunity of seeing it.

Now that I am older and on my own I like to say my favorite quote is:

"Like the mighty phoenix, once again I rise from the flames set to destroy me and take flight.  I am stronger, glorious, powerful, victorious."

Oh... and one last thing.  The number one thing that I think is the best medication for depression... running!  Get out and be active... and fight to be victorious over yourself.

Good luck!

~~Nicole~~

Answer 6

You need to tell everything if you want help. If you go in there and lie or not tell everything then you are only looking for attention. Prove your feelings tell everything and get the help you need. TELL~TELL~TELL

Answer 7

Tell them everything.

Answer 8

THEY WILL LOCK U UP

Answer 9

Well they will tell you before you start talking to them what they need to report and what they don't need to... They can't talk to you parents about anything you tell them  

Answer 10

They won't lock you up. The whole idea is to work through issues you have and learn how to overcome them and deal with them. Some doctors are clueless! They should've picked up on some signs based on what you've mentioned. It's important to find a good doc. Years ago, my husband was having some serious issues and he agreed to see someone. He had serious moods swings etc., and we spent a lot of $$ ......after almost a year, I come to find out he had a serious drug problem and that was why he was being so ridiculous, but when I'd talk to the doc, he told me he had ADD & ADHD. I felt like an idiot for not picking up on it sooner, but the doctor definitely should've picked up on it rather than just take our money!

Sorry for the rant....anyway, you need to tell your doctor what does bother you and how it makes you feel. Cutting is a way you deal with your pain, but certainly isn't helping or resolving anything. I don't know how old you are, but if you're under 18, they can talk to your parents about it. Life can really throw us a curve ball and certain experiences can leave some people to not trust others, create anger and mood swings, but how we deal with it makes a huge difference. Talking to someone definitely helps and makes you look at things from a different light. Some people don't think before they speak or act and in turn makes others feel hurt or angry. It's imprinted in our brains and always seems to resurface! It's a lot easier said than done, but all the crappy things that have happened, you can't let it consume you and in turn hurt yourself by cutting. It's not doing anything to those who have harrassed you, bullied you or betrayed you, it's only hurting you. Be honest with yourself....I know when trust has been broken, you push any and all feelings deep inside, but once you find someone who you are comfortable talking to, let your feelings out...trust me when I tell you you'll feel so much better and can start truly working on yourself. There's a saying, "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced". It so true.

If you're not comfortable with your doc, you may want to look into a rehab.....I know they have rehab facilites for cutters. You wouldn't be the only one who cuts and you'll hear from others and be able to relate. You may develop some great friendships as well as a support system. It just makes life easier when you can talk to someone who can relate to how you're feeling and help you understand why you feel the way you do.

Okay...I'll stop typing. I hope I was able to help in some small way.....don't be afraid.....letting things out and letting others know how you feel will allow you to live your life again. I wish you the best :)

Answer 11

They have to keep what you tell them confidential unless they think you are a harm to others or yourself. However, if you are having suicidal thoughts, I think you might have bigger problems than what the psychiatrist will tell your mother. I would suggest you try to tell the psychiatrist what's going on but don't over embellish it.

Answer 12

I had the same problem. Belive me, it's seems very scary to go to a professional, but it's so relieving when you tell them about that kind of stuff.

When my parents went through a divorce, they both got remarried, I was abused by my stepfather, I was harrassed by some people at school about being bisexual, etc. That's why I started gaining suicidal thoughts and I started abusing myself.

They won't tell your parents unless you give them permission. The relationship you have with your psychiatrist will be kept confidential. I was sent to the psych ward for a weekend only because I actually DID attempt suicide when I was going through my manic depressive stage (I'm bipolar--I have to take meds for that)

Yes, those subjects are definitely something you should bring up early in your conversations with your psychiatrist, so he/she can help you as soon as possible.

Good luck...and I hope you get the courage to tell your mom soon, preferably after (if you ever do) you stop cutting, etc. You'll gain her trust hopefully, and she'll want to be closer to you. She might be very suprised and hurt because of it, but ultimately, I'm sure she'll be sympathetic and will understand completly.

Answer 13

Yeah you have to talk about your feelings. That is the only way you can be free of them. I would go with a therapist not a psychiatrist though.

Answer 14

They are not allowed to talk to people about your feelings or thoughts UNLESS of course you are going to cause yourself physical harm then they have to tell.

Answer 15

I understand it's really hard to sit down with a stranger and be expected to tell them everything even things you would never tell anyone else, but if you really want/need help you should tell them everything. The ones I went to would ask me before my mom came in if there was anything I didn't want her to know that I told them I always said I didn't want them to tell her anything and they never did. The only time they get someone involved is if they think there is a very serious chance you will badly hurt someone or actually try to kill yourself. It's normal for people with depression to have suicidal thoughts, but they can tell if they think you will actually go home and do it and thats the only time they get others involved.

Answer 16

If you worry about what the doctor might think or feeling EMBARRESSED do this:

Go to:

www.liveandworkwell.com

Click: "Find a clinician near you".

There you can pick and choose the one your more comfortable with.

You can choose a doctor based on:

Gender

Ethinicity

Area of Expertise

Language etc

In this case... it is better to tell them EVERYTHING... don't worry about telling them that you cut, a lot of people do, probably the doctor him or herself used to as wel... I know I still do... *sigh*