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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
I saw my therapist yesterday. We spent the entire session talking about suicide. She asked me if I would verbally or in writing agree not to harm myself between sessions. I signed something she wrote up.
She told me that I should really consider going to the hospital, that I need to be someplace safe right now. She really pushed it, but I told her I won't go, I'll uphold the contract.
She asked me to call her before next Thursday, that it might help just to talk for five or ten minutes. But that I should reconsider my stand on the hospital, if talking doesn't help.I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for caring.
Poet
Posted by judy1 on April 30, 2004, at 11:41:20
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
I also signed a contract with my therp, and in my case I have honored it. I think it has been about 2 years, and I have not made an attempt and have called her when I felt I was about to. Congratulations for doing that for yourself, I feel if you have a good relationship with a therapist contracts really work.
take care, judy
Posted by Aphrodite on April 30, 2004, at 11:57:19
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
Glad to hear you have the contract, Poet. Do you feel safe at home with your husband? If you do, I understand why that would be preferable to the hospital, but don't rule out the hospital if things become bleak.
I saw under another thread that you like to go for long walks. Have you done that? Get some upbeat music, and try to force yourself. I just got back from a long walk, and I'm like a new woman.
Keep us updated, OK?
Posted by Dinah on April 30, 2004, at 12:08:50
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
Poet, I'm glad you made that committment to your therapist. And I'm glad you're open to considering the hospital if need be. All this can be worked out, you just need to believe that and hang on through the worst of it.
Posted by fallsfall on April 30, 2004, at 13:11:08
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
Poet,
I'm glad you have a contract in place.
If you find that it is becoming hard to honor the contract, do consider the hospital. Hospitals can be helpful. It is a sign of strength to say that you need the help.
Good luck.
Posted by Penny on April 30, 2004, at 13:39:21
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
When I was in a really bad place, while I was seeing my last therapist, the agreement we had was that I would call her and leave her a voice mail every evening by a certain time to tell her I was okay, or to tell her I wasn't okay and that I needed to talk to her, at which point she would call me back. Just knowing that she was expecting a message from me helped me get through the day.
That said, even though my pdoc and my current T are both extremely accessible, I had to go to the hospital last summer, which I'm sure saved my life, as I had a plan. Now, not even a year later, I'm on meds that are (gasp) working and life has taken an upswing for the first time in a long time. If talking to your T when you need to is enough to get you through until things improve, that's great. If not, that's okay too - hospital stays don't have to be lengthy to be helpful. That bit of a break from 'the real world' is strangely comforting.
And it was my babble friends who convinced me that it wasn't a bad thing. They were right.
(((Poet)))
I care a great deal about you - I wish I could do more to help you through this. Please take care of yourself.
P
Posted by B2chica on April 30, 2004, at 15:09:06
In reply to Re: No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry » Poet, posted by Penny on April 30, 2004, at 13:39:21
Poet,
i understand your not wanting to go to the hospital, i've actually had nightmares about it...However, when i was seconds away from commiting S. my friend interviend and drove me to the hospital, my pdoc said i could just talk with them. Well they did but they evaluate you and tell you if they think you should stay. i needed to stay and even though it was one of my Biggest fears, i know it's the reason i'm still here today. I had three of the worst episodes of depression and one worst mania while i was there. I even made an attempt in the hospital, needed sutures.
My point is that not only were they there to watch over me, not only did it give me a place to concentrate on only myself instead of everyone else, it also gave the doctors a chance to mess around with my drugs and because i was there i got put on a great cocktail of drugs that have been working great since.
So please keep that in the back of your mind. Know i care about you, and i want to see your name here for years to come. Know that you Don't have to live your whole life like this. Remember if the pain comes, it will also go, But you must stand strong and take action and from reading your posts, you sound like an incredibly strong person.
-Best.
B2c.
Posted by gardenergirl on April 30, 2004, at 15:24:09
In reply to Re: No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by B2chica on April 30, 2004, at 15:09:06
Poet,
I am glad you felt okay with making this contract with your T. You have the tools in place to get you through this. And we're here, too.(((Poet)))
gg
Posted by noa on April 30, 2004, at 20:01:54
In reply to Re: No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry » Poet, posted by judy1 on April 30, 2004, at 11:41:20
I had such an agreement at one point with my therapist and it helped me, too.
Posted by All Done on May 1, 2004, at 0:48:09
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
(((Poet))),
I'm so glad you signed the contract and it sounds like you have a good T to help you get through this. And you will get through it. Don't hesitate to call if you need her and, as always, post here if you need our support.
I'm sorry things are so rough right now. Please take care of yourself.
All Done
Posted by shadows721 on May 1, 2004, at 1:00:12
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
Glad to hear your taking positive steps in caring for yourself. You can ride this storm. Feelings and situations can change, so hang on and use those tools if needed.
Posted by gardenergirl on May 1, 2004, at 9:51:03
In reply to Re: No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by shadows721 on May 1, 2004, at 1:00:12
Posted by Poet on May 1, 2004, at 11:39:17
In reply to No harm contract in place- may trigger, sorry, posted by Poet on April 30, 2004, at 11:26:34
This is the end of the thread.
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