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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KB on March 8, 2007, at 1:21:33
Lately after a long time of being pretty OK on Cymbalta, I've taken a turn for the worse - lots of crying, food cravings, irritability, suicidal thoughts. I have a new PDOC that I don't see regularly or know very well and i don't know how to raise the issue of the suicidal thoughts. I don't want him to freak out and call an ambulance. Any suggestions?
Posted by Racer on March 8, 2007, at 2:13:06
In reply to How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts?, posted by KB on March 8, 2007, at 1:21:33
If you're not a danger to yourself, your doctor won't be calling anyone. The question he'll be concerned about isn't whether you think of suicide, but whether you have a plan for suicide. If you don't, you don't.
Meanwhile, telling him that you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation will let him know how you're doing, so that he can try to help fix it. I'm sure he's heard enough from patients to know the difference between suicidal ideation and being actively suicidal.
I hope that helps.
Posted by yxibow on March 8, 2007, at 2:24:22
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts? » KB, posted by Racer on March 8, 2007, at 2:13:06
> If you're not a danger to yourself, your doctor won't be calling anyone. The question he'll be concerned about isn't whether you think of suicide, but whether you have a plan for suicide. If you don't, you don't.
>
> Meanwhile, telling him that you're experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation will let him know how you're doing, so that he can try to help fix it. I'm sure he's heard enough from patients to know the difference between suicidal ideation and being actively suicidal.
>
> I hope that helps.I agree with the above. If you have a caring psychiatrist, nobody is going to put you in a straightjacket. Sorry, bad choice of words but I had to cheer you up a little. There are very few things legally that a psychiatrist has to report on or do, and the simple ideation of suicide is not one of them. A detailed list of methods... I'm not going to go into morbid things.... might be one of them.
Simply having thoughts brings into conversation, helps him know where you are, as noted all above by the previous poster.
So unless the psychiatrist just stepped out of medical school and you're his first patient, nobody is going to freak out.
-- feel better
-- Jay
Posted by Phillipa on March 8, 2007, at 11:36:17
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts? » Racer, posted by yxibow on March 8, 2007, at 2:24:22
Is having the thoughts that common? As my pdoc has lowered luvox short acting from 75mg to 25mg to get a base line as he doesn't think I need an ad just benzos as my whole family has panic disorder. but for the first time I woke feeling suicidal with no idea why first time. Love Phillipa
Posted by KB on March 8, 2007, at 13:37:49
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts? » Racer, posted by yxibow on March 8, 2007, at 2:24:22
Part of the problem is I just don't know how to bring the subject up. In fact, I'm even having trouble calling him because I just don't know what to say.
Posted by Racer on March 8, 2007, at 13:42:23
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts?, posted by KB on March 8, 2007, at 13:37:49
> Part of the problem is I just don't know how to bring the subject up. In fact, I'm even having trouble calling him because I just don't know what to say.
How about something like, "I think I need a medication adjustment. Lately I've been frightened, because I find myself having thoughts about suicide -- and I know I don't want to do that. It just feels as though life isn't worth living, and I can't seem to find hope lately." Something that tells him you know that you're not planning suicide, but also conveys just how deeply depressed you're becoming?
Just a thought...
Posted by Crazy Horse on March 9, 2007, at 14:12:19
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts? » KB, posted by Racer on March 8, 2007, at 13:42:23
>
> How about something like, "I think I need a medication adjustment. Lately I've been frightened, because I find myself having thoughts about suicide -- and I know I don't want to do that. It just feels as though life isn't worth living, and I can't seem to find hope lately." Something that tells him you know that you're not planning suicide, but also conveys just how deeply depressed you're becoming?
>
> Just a thought...The above is a great example of what to say..great job Racer. Please don't put this off any longer, the sooner you tell him the sooner you could be feeling better.
-Monte
Posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 19:46:41
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts? » Racer, posted by yxibow on March 8, 2007, at 2:24:22
Talked to my new pdoc today told him about the thought on waking up he said usually happens when starting an ad. Just let me know if it should get worse. Love Phillipa ps he wasn't really concerned as he knows my thyroid is doing all kinds of crazy hormone things right now.
Posted by bulldog2 on March 13, 2007, at 10:51:50
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts?, posted by Phillipa on March 9, 2007, at 19:46:41
I'm confused. You're not starting an ad your going off of one. He also thinks you're not depressed?
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2007, at 19:03:57
In reply to Re: How to tell pdoc about suicidal thoughts?, posted by bulldog2 on March 13, 2007, at 10:51:50
No he thinks that my primary diagnosis is anxiety disorder. My moods are all over the place with this thyroid thing and changing meds. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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