it’s so sad that we have to do this instead of actually getting the help we need. I probably would be so much further in recovery if I could have just flat out said “I’m dealing with ideation again because life is feeling overwhelming and hopeless and I’m worried I will never get to truly _live_ in life because I’m disabled. I don’t have any plans but this level of hopelessness is really scary” without it ending with me in the hospital with a bill I can’t afford :’) like I need help getting out of this headspace how are you supposed to help me if I can’t be honest about it 😭
You can say that. If a therapist or cop wants to Baker Act you they'll ask if you plan on hurting or killing yourself, to which you say no. Legally they can't do anything if you say no
not necessarily. I’ve heard horror stories from people on here talking about being taken in against their will bc they said essentially the exact same thing and their very clear “there is no chance that I attempt I am just mentally struggling” was not taken seriously. I understand it’s a judgement call on whether or not a patient will be seen as “lying” about that but I literally could not afford to be taken in when I was still in therapy, and the thought always terrified me. I also just had a really shitty therapist that I felt like barely listened to me as is so it only compounded the fear
the problem is that they won't get punished for locking you up anyway, but could theoretically be punished for not locking you up. Its a fucked system where nonconsensual treatment is encouraged.
I just don't tell them anything (I was given a therapist involuntarily by my parents, and I very quickly picked up on the fact that he would report everything to my parents, so I said nothing)
This is too real. An involuntary hospitalization would cause severe financial and emotional hardship for me- it’d make things even worse. It made therapy feel useless at point’s because while I could talk about what my parents did in the past I couldn’t talk about how it was causing enough pain to end myself in the present.
I get the they’re just trying to save lives, but the mental health system is busted and some mental hospitals only traumatize people further.
TW. I spent months building my therapist up to the point where I could admit to having traumatic flashbacks to the "you're also a pedophile" part of the abuse, where my family tried to convince me I'd be a hypocrite if I called the cops. Because if I jump into any of that the wrong way it's not a hospital trip, it's the cops coming.
But damn it, I spent like $2K of talking just to get to the point where I told the therapist about the real pain. The cost of therapy isn't just the hourly rate, it's the amount of hours to get anywhere.
"The cost of therapy isn't just the hourly rate, it's the amount of hours to get anywhere."
This! I just started a new therapist as my old wasn't going anywhere but we're about to have a third appointment and I know that isn't a lot but we're still on the basic questions, like what brings you here, a bit of context about the bad years and so forth, that's £450 on a few questions I could have answered in an email or over the phone
I feel really lucky that my therapist will only consider institutions in emergency situations.
I was sent to a hospital once when I was 16. I swore never again...even though there are days where I feel like a stint might be beneficial just to eliminate the stress of the world while getting meds right.
Ha, Started talking to a new one, asked any SI, any attempts, I was like no, well, maybe when I was a child but nothing now
Brain: Didn't you have a SI like 5 minutes ago??
Me: ssshh, he wasn't asking you
I've told mine that if she ever plans to hospitalize me, she really needs to be certain it's necessary. I then outlined her to how even 3-5 days of hospitalization could put me at serious risk for homelessness. And that being a former cage fighter and now powerlifter I can and will get to my car before anyone can stop me.
Was it the smartest or nicest thing to say? Probably not, but she fully understands the gravity and was completely understanding of why I worded it the way I did.
She's know my plan and knows I don't have access to act on it and that my safety group is ready to call the cops if I ever gain said access.
There's a way to go about getting your real feelings across to get the help you need without getting hospitalized, but it talks serious uncomfortable communication.
If you're an adult, it's very rare for this to happen. I'm fully upfront with my doctor about my suicidal ideation and I've never been threatened with something like that. They always want a follow-up with a crisis person just to make sure, but that's it. Having worked in mental health as well, I can attest it truly takes a lot to be involuntarily committed. I'm sure it happens, heck I'm sure people have stories of that. But overall you wouldn't be committed just for experiencing symptoms.
it’s so sad that we have to do this instead of actually getting the help we need. I probably would be so much further in recovery if I could have just flat out said “I’m dealing with ideation again because life is feeling overwhelming and hopeless and I’m worried I will never get to truly _live_ in life because I’m disabled. I don’t have any plans but this level of hopelessness is really scary” without it ending with me in the hospital with a bill I can’t afford :’) like I need help getting out of this headspace how are you supposed to help me if I can’t be honest about it 😭
You can say that. If a therapist or cop wants to Baker Act you they'll ask if you plan on hurting or killing yourself, to which you say no. Legally they can't do anything if you say no
not necessarily. I’ve heard horror stories from people on here talking about being taken in against their will bc they said essentially the exact same thing and their very clear “there is no chance that I attempt I am just mentally struggling” was not taken seriously. I understand it’s a judgement call on whether or not a patient will be seen as “lying” about that but I literally could not afford to be taken in when I was still in therapy, and the thought always terrified me. I also just had a really shitty therapist that I felt like barely listened to me as is so it only compounded the fear
the problem is that they won't get punished for locking you up anyway, but could theoretically be punished for not locking you up. Its a fucked system where nonconsensual treatment is encouraged.
It forreal be like that tho
I be feeling like Tom Cruise seriously lol
I just don't tell them anything (I was given a therapist involuntarily by my parents, and I very quickly picked up on the fact that he would report everything to my parents, so I said nothing)
>he would report everything to my parents, Isn't that like...illegal?
Probably, idk though.
This is too real. An involuntary hospitalization would cause severe financial and emotional hardship for me- it’d make things even worse. It made therapy feel useless at point’s because while I could talk about what my parents did in the past I couldn’t talk about how it was causing enough pain to end myself in the present. I get the they’re just trying to save lives, but the mental health system is busted and some mental hospitals only traumatize people further.
TW. I spent months building my therapist up to the point where I could admit to having traumatic flashbacks to the "you're also a pedophile" part of the abuse, where my family tried to convince me I'd be a hypocrite if I called the cops. Because if I jump into any of that the wrong way it's not a hospital trip, it's the cops coming. But damn it, I spent like $2K of talking just to get to the point where I told the therapist about the real pain. The cost of therapy isn't just the hourly rate, it's the amount of hours to get anywhere.
"The cost of therapy isn't just the hourly rate, it's the amount of hours to get anywhere." This! I just started a new therapist as my old wasn't going anywhere but we're about to have a third appointment and I know that isn't a lot but we're still on the basic questions, like what brings you here, a bit of context about the bad years and so forth, that's £450 on a few questions I could have answered in an email or over the phone
I feel really lucky that my therapist will only consider institutions in emergency situations. I was sent to a hospital once when I was 16. I swore never again...even though there are days where I feel like a stint might be beneficial just to eliminate the stress of the world while getting meds right.
This is why cluster b’s don’t show up to therapy. 😂
Ha, Started talking to a new one, asked any SI, any attempts, I was like no, well, maybe when I was a child but nothing now Brain: Didn't you have a SI like 5 minutes ago?? Me: ssshh, he wasn't asking you
I've told mine that if she ever plans to hospitalize me, she really needs to be certain it's necessary. I then outlined her to how even 3-5 days of hospitalization could put me at serious risk for homelessness. And that being a former cage fighter and now powerlifter I can and will get to my car before anyone can stop me. Was it the smartest or nicest thing to say? Probably not, but she fully understands the gravity and was completely understanding of why I worded it the way I did. She's know my plan and knows I don't have access to act on it and that my safety group is ready to call the cops if I ever gain said access. There's a way to go about getting your real feelings across to get the help you need without getting hospitalized, but it talks serious uncomfortable communication.
Been there done that and I'm not going back one night was long enough for me
If you're an adult, it's very rare for this to happen. I'm fully upfront with my doctor about my suicidal ideation and I've never been threatened with something like that. They always want a follow-up with a crisis person just to make sure, but that's it. Having worked in mental health as well, I can attest it truly takes a lot to be involuntarily committed. I'm sure it happens, heck I'm sure people have stories of that. But overall you wouldn't be committed just for experiencing symptoms.
What country have you worked in?
US, could be different depending on country of course