How do you tell someone you're suicidal?!


Question: To sum it up, I've been considering admitting myself inpatient for a month or so. Despite my efforts for whatever reason my bipolar is totally out of control at the moment. Everytime I adjust my meds, I just screw it up (I'm consulting my psych via phone). I'm manic than depressed...blah blah blah. So, I'm kinda stuck here. I'm feeling really unsafe right now. I've been to the ER numerous times before for suicidal ideation (but that was almost a year ago). My family, aware that I am still struggling, think I am doing better. They know I've been having mood problems, but they don't know I'm suicidal. So, I guess my question would be: How do you tell someone you're suicidal?
I don't know whether to call my hospitals crisis line and have them send an ambulance and let the paramedics explain everything, or I should tell them and have them drive me (I can't drive myself due to restrictions because of my anorexia). Meh. What would you say/do?


Answers: To sum it up, I've been considering admitting myself inpatient for a month or so. Despite my efforts for whatever reason my bipolar is totally out of control at the moment. Everytime I adjust my meds, I just screw it up (I'm consulting my psych via phone). I'm manic than depressed...blah blah blah. So, I'm kinda stuck here. I'm feeling really unsafe right now. I've been to the ER numerous times before for suicidal ideation (but that was almost a year ago). My family, aware that I am still struggling, think I am doing better. They know I've been having mood problems, but they don't know I'm suicidal. So, I guess my question would be: How do you tell someone you're suicidal?
I don't know whether to call my hospitals crisis line and have them send an ambulance and let the paramedics explain everything, or I should tell them and have them drive me (I can't drive myself due to restrictions because of my anorexia). Meh. What would you say/do?

Hey, I saw you on another posting like this and added you as a contact; I'm glad I did. First of all, you gave really stellar advice on the other post about crisis lines and stuff like that, so I'm probably not going to say anything you're not already aware of, but it's definitely a compelling question, you know? And I'm not going to just ignore it.

I guess partly it depends on who you're telling. I've never had a diagnosis, but just over a year ago was my latest try at an attempt, and right after I went in for counselling. I went first to a GP at my university... then, a bit later, I went to the ER.

The reason was: my mood swings were so out of control that I didn't trust myself not to do something that I'd regret. I was going through a terrible break-up with someone who was my best friend; we were inflicting so much pain on each other, etc blah blah... point was the mood swings.

If it's family, start out slow. They probably already know about your illness, and it's easy to just say. "It's _really_ bad right now." For family, I'm not sure what it's like to actually tell them - whether it's a good idea. I mean, definitely let people know that you're feeling like hell, but unless they're really understanding or aware, it's probably best to tone it down to "I'm a bit dangerous to myself right now." A lot of times the stress of them adding to the situation can make it worse.

A previous attempt, I sent an e-mail to my sister with instructions for after I was gone... then I fscked up... twice... and figured it was meant to be that I'd fail. She came over the next day (despite my "uhhh, READ THIS MAIL FIRST! ignore the e-mail above. delete it! desperation) and we hung out and talked for like eleven hours. I'm not sure what the point of me saying that was. Um. Perhaps that it's not necessarily a bad idea to admit to it to family... and it's better to do it before an attempt than after... easier to work up to it than deal with a family member who is like: "this came out of nowhere!"

If you have any problems, the best thing to do is say: "listen, would you rather I told you and tried to get your support, or did something that I wouldn't even be around to regret?"
Perhaps that's a terrible thing to say. I think it puts it in perspective, though.

Friends or significant others, you usually know if they'll understand or won't. Break it gently to those you think will be slow to know where you're coming from... come right out to those who you know have been there. "I feel like ****; I honestly want to kill myself" is something that is pretty clear.

Any time you have compulsions to self-harm you shouldn't be afraid of seeking medical attention... a crisis line is a great resource for the acute parts, the worst parts. Talking about it _always_ helps.

I usually bus in these situations because it keeps it low-key, and I can tell people in my own time. Sounds like that might not be an option in your situation.

Start with a crisis line and get advice on where to go from there. Good luck! I'm sorry about your friend. I'm free to talk, if you want to hit my ashes_seven hotmail address.

I'm feeling really safe now, though I'm in a much worse situation than a year ago - I feel great now that the immediate pain has gone away. I guess that's my way of saying... everyone says it gets better. You feel better. Well, it goes both ways. But you survive it, and at least sometimes you appreciate that you've survived it.

Remember: you're okay for tonight. You can last one more day! And you _don't_ want to kill yourself, you just want the pain to end. There are better ways to limit pain, and there _will_ be times in your life where you are happy to be alive again.

Love!

Rob

Call 911

First, I am sorry to hear that you are having this problem right now. I'm sure you feel scared and terribly alone. Rest assured-there are people who care. The fact that your family is paying attention to your concerns show they love you.

Secondly, I think you should call the crisis line immediately and have an ambulance come get you. Please do. You never know what tomorrow or another random day will hold. Be well!

It's interesting that you say you are in a manic cycle as manics tend to not think of suicide and it is when they crash from the manic to the depressive state that suicide is most common with ideation continuing through the depressive cycle. The crash is the most critical time though.
If you call a hospital, 911, or another service, they will send police to do a health and wellness check and, more than likely, you will be brought in for a psychological evaluation. They will also contact your psychiatrist and any other professional as well as family who you give them information for.
If you have family, or a close friend that is aware of your situation, I would have them bring you to the urgent care at a hospital that has psych resources available. That would be your best bet until your meds can get stablized.

If you really want to tell someone its not that hard... just find someone you trust who you know will help you get help but i would calll your hospital but maybe not the crisis line unless ur really like about to commit suicide but i would call them and have them drive you and get u help... hope that helps

awww, girl! Try to calm down sweetheart. I wish I could hold your hand and reasure you! You are right to observe yourself and wow, you're a strong girl for recognizing you have a problem and looking for a solution.
Just tell family that you aren't feeling well at all -if you don't wanna use the word, that's fine..just suggest you're having some issues and need to go to the doc NOW -ask them to drive u. Again, depending on how comfortable you are with expressing certain things, you can work your way around certain words..just imply strongly that u need to go to the hospital. They'll understand. Don't panic for any reason baby! Come on, you're on your way to receiving help.

my uncle committed suicide.
Trust me you do not want to commit suicide tell your family i am sure they would much rather you tell them then they find you hung in your garage please get help.

Your family will understand.

best of luck

Whats the number to 911? call them.

if its really this serious, then i would tell your parents. they only will want to help. you have nothing to be ashamed about. all you need to do is get better. either way they'll find out. just whatever u decide to do, tell your parents now or call the hospital crisi line now. bc i know i'd rather you get help then hurt yourself. stay strong.

Call up whoever you are closest, your mom, dad, siblings, or whatever, anyone in your family who you trust and who will understand, right now this minute and tell them how you feel, they would want to know, ask somebody to come and sit with you, go through your options, decide what you want to do, admitting yourself or whatever, then do it together, dont be on your own, good luck, just always remember that there are people out there who care about you xxx

Call up whoever you are closest, your mom, dad, siblings, or whatever, anyone in your family who you trust and who will understand . i no its hard but you have to just tell some one about this situation so you can be helped .





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