The suicide question...how do you answer honestly?

[BeeKeeper]

This isn't a dark post so I hope no one takes offense.  Whether you are talking to your therapist, pdoc, or if you go into the ER for some help..there is always the question of do you, or have you felt suicidal thoughts.  The second one is do you, or have you had a plan?

There have certainly been times in life that this were trur...but not now.  But...if you answer yes to these questions, bells go off and you now a "risk" and the conversations take a whole different path.  So, it just better to say No to these questions to avoid any potential hassle?  If you think you should say No, are there other things you think should be witheld?

[ILADVOCATE]

I always tell my psychiatrist the exact truth about how I am feeling. I have had suicidal ideations in the past, before my current recovery that were not realistic and didn't intend to carry them out. I explained and they knew the difference. I also have had suicidal ideations (before I started that new medication) from the pain of my physical disability so that's why they immediately found something that would help me. I've also had a few medications cause suicidal ideations so they realized that and changed them. If I felt actively suicidal at any time I would inform them. If a person intends to carry out these thoughts its better to be in the hospital where you can't follow through. I do know that once I did some things that were destructive (not physically to other people) and signed myself into the hospital and I asked to leave but my psychiatrist stated that I had to stay and I asked them if I had the option of being classified as a voluntary patient and they said yes so that's what I chose. In that case I was better off. Also at the hospital when I was there a few times before, my current recovery, they asked me, as they did everyone, to inform them if I had suicidal or homicidal ideations at any time. I didn't but I would have told them if I did. Its best to tell your psychiatrist the truth so they know if you just have thoughts of this manner that you won't carry them out and they can distinguish between thoughts of that nature and active ideations. Also they may spot the signs of it on their own. I worked better with providers when they knew I was honest to them. To me it generally makes sense.

[BeeKeeper]

Thanks IL.  The reason for me asking is that I went to the ER for some help but was not suicidal.  As soon as they asked the question of have i ever been and hve i had a plan...I answered honestly and befoer I knew it I was being searched by security guards and taken to the inpatient ward.  Had I just lied, the outcome would have been different and I would have been out of the ER instead of spending 24 hours as inpatient.

So, that's why i was curious.  Oh, and it did not help my case when they found a pocket knife in my pocket...[shaking my head].

[Xila31]

I would just say be as clear as possible. "I have had suicidal thoughts in the past but not recently or right now. I have had a plan in the past but not recently or right now. That was this many days/months/years ago." That's all I can think. I'm sorry you had to go through that.

[doctora]

Your luck sounds like mine..LOL.
I travelled out of town to a prominent psyc. hosptial for assessment. I found the questions were all text book, and I started to take offence to that.
One question was - does your dog talk to you? my response - why should she, does yours? Bad move.
I agree with IL, you need to talk to someone who gets to know you, knows your sense of humour, your intellegence, your past. I found going to the psyc. hospital did no good, they wanted me as an outpatient, and prescribed more meds...well that would be all fine and dandy if I lived in the area, but I live 4 hrs away, and I didnt plan on moving there.
I may have been admitted, but as I was to later find out, they are closing thier outpatient dept., so where would that have left me....wonder if they thought about that during the interrogation.
Also, I have a habit of laughing or giggling when I talk about serious issues, which also didnt help, similiar to your pocket knife issue.
Hey, at least when we mess up, we do it well!

[Xila31]

wow... I hate those text book questions. The worst thing about them is that they make it seem like everyone is crazy in the exact same way. It really asked if your dog talks to you? LOL.... >.> Even a lot of "normal" people would answer yes to that. I see people talking to their dogs all the time. Or cats. Or dead relatives. And they say they talk back, you know with expressions or feelings. That would mean like at least 70% of the population needs meds.

[HVAC]

I am honest with my Psychiatrist and my therapist but no one else. I have a mutual trust with my Doctor and know I can keep in close contact when suicidal.

I lie to everyone else. I one time ended up with them breaking my arm and handcuffing me for answering yes. Then I spent time in a not so nice hospital.

If answering yes will save your life answer yeas.

[doctora]

To answer your question - in the hospitals, yes. It is just textbook questions given to you by a newbie.
I agree with HVAC, now I lie, my Dr knows the truth and thats it. My family has an idea, but even with them I keep the information I share limited, that is why this site is good for me, I can speak the truth without being judged, or locked up in a psyc ward because I had x# of answers wrong.
Oh well, live and learn.

[rogelio63]

I understand the question,,,I think anyone that has had the thought fly thru their head has an idea how they would go about it if they have any creativity at all.  I think that most people, bipolar or not, have had the fleeting thought or even the predominant thought and even knew how they would do it, but they won't admit it because they don't have a "diagnosis".  
I work in a setting where we call it the "magic words".  You say certain things and wham-o, you're considered a risk whether you are or not, until you get evaluated by a mental health provider that's willing to take the responsibility for your safety.

[Xila31]

Actually, in my experiance using that word only lables you as an "attention seeker," just like when self-harm happens people think you only want attention. I could care less if people give me attention. I just want to stop hurting. I know pleanty of people who the moment you say it, they just roll their eyes and call you a drama queen. That's why I don't tell anyone things like that and I won't tell anyone when I'm feeling that way. For the most part, those feelings are temporary and I can fight them off myself. But if I told someone every time I have thoughts, then when I really need help no one would believe me. Like the boy who cries wolf, you know.

[ILADVOCATE]

It depends how you say it. Before my current recovery I used to bombard my psychiatrist's answer machine with messages if I got upset and yes that was annoying for him. However, now if something of extreme concern is going on naturally I call and it is taken seriously. If anyone is speaking to a psychiatrist they should tell them exactly what's going on. When I identify myself as recovered that is coming from my provider's statements and if I had a return in psychotic thoughts naturally they would be the first to know. Also when I signed up here I was off a mood stabilizer (as they couldn't find one I could tolerate) and it did effect me and I was somewhat grandiose. The judgment that that new anti-convulsant I am on had mood stabilization properties came from them but I could see it as well. When I speak to my psychiatrist they are still checking for any return in symptoms just like anyone else and I always let them know exactly what's going on and follow their judgment.

[rogelio63]

My comment was driven by where I work,,,in a prison setting.  The ones that are set on killing themselves don't say anything usually.  They just do it.  Most of the time, again because of where I work, the ones that say "the secret words" are wanting something or as you said, looking for attention.
But,,,these are people that have other mental issues.  That's a whole 'nother topic.

[Xila31]

Well, I'm not talking about a psychiatrist. I'm talking about other people in general. I mean like if I told my family every time I think a suicidal thought, they would not believe me if I really actually am in crisis and need to go to the ER. One relative has clearly stated that if anyone says they are suicidal he will tell them "go ahead and do it, then, you're just looking for attention." He says that people pretend to commit suicide. They call and say they are suicidal, but they make sure to take the pill right as you walk in the door or to jump off the chair, or whatever they're doing, so they know they won't actually die, you know "just in time." This is how people view suicidal people.

Well, so I won't say anything to people. That way if I really need help I can ask. Beacuse the truth is, there are a lot of times when suicidal thoughts are happening but not acted upon. I fight those off myself, as I said, and I don't want people to view me like I'm an attention seeker. The times when I was in crisis I went to find help. Otherwise, it is my battle.