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IncompetentYoungster t1_j1viak4 wrote

Mine's not even remotely related to "I cannot own a gun" because I already sort of can't (legally I can, but for my own safety I cannot) and have zero interest in owning one because I have no interest in hunting. It's definitely not an "important cultural aspect" for a lot of people.

I do not want to be involuntarily committed because I do not want to lose my right to my dignity, to my possessions, and I absolutely do not want to lose control of pretty much everything. I don't want to sit in a psych ward that is understaffed, in clothes that aren't mine, without the objects I use to comfort myself, being forced to take medication that I am afraid of having a bad reaction to.

I do go to therapy, and I do take my meds. But I often will shy away from discussing my suicidal thoughts with my therapist because I am TERRIFIED of being locked up. I had a not-stellar childhood that involved pretty strict control from one of my parents, and getting committed would actively make that trauma so much worse.

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Trailwatch427 t1_j1wixrp wrote

I have worked in a Psych ER. You have summed it up perfectly. Everyone I have known who ended up in a psych hospital said it was a horrible experience.

Take care of yourself. The world sucks, but there are good things about living. And yes, keep all suicidal thoughts to yourself. You don't want to go there!

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[deleted] t1_j1xp67k wrote

I know this is a bitter way to look at the world but also those people are just going through the motions of life too. They will commit you and just treat you like a number.

I believe there's cases where people pretended to be crazy for a story then it turns out they are classified as all sorts of mentally ill and are treated like everyone else there.

As others have said do the best you can but id fight being sent to one of those places.

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katrilli t1_j1yzd0y wrote

I one time voluntarily committed myself and it only made things worse. The bill at the end adds a lot of insult to injury and definitely didn't help.

That said, I work in mental health and in my training at least we are taught that there's a huge difference between suicidal thoughts/ideation and suicidal intent, and sending people to the hospital involuntarily is an absolute last resort. As a mentally ill person with suicidal ideation, I appreciate this policy a lot. I appreciate it for my clients, too, as I mean... Most of the people struggling from mental health issues right now are actually struggling from poverty issues that are causing the mental health issues. Taking away their income and strapping them with a huge bill is likely to exacerbate the problem.

Also, the hospitals are full right now. There is a massive bed shortage and it takes a long long time to find anywhere to even send anyone. They prioritize only sending people when it is absolutely needed, because honestly there's not enough room.

All of that is to say, talking about suicide is the best way to prevent suicide. I'm not going to tell you that you HAVE to tell your therapist, that's a decision you have to make for yourself, but talking to someone about it is the best way to work through it. Hiding it only gives it power and makes it seem like this big shameful secret that is too terrible to bear. When you start talking about it, you are able to move through it instead of letting it sit there and get worse.

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VelvetMerryweather t1_j1zvukt wrote

How can they charge you for "services" you didn't ask for or agree to ? If you're there involuntarily, and they're not only taking away your whole life, and all the control you had over it, but also sticking you with the bill?? That's just wrong on so many levels. What a racket.

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katrilli t1_j211dqi wrote

It absolutely is a racket, healthcare in this country is messed up

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Skydivided t1_j1ynamj wrote

Hey , just wanted to say that maybe you’re not looking at the “not telling my therapist about my suicidal thoughts “ the right way. Or maybe you are ? Sometimes people have “intrusive suicidal thoughts “. That’s normal and worth mentioning to a therapist. They know this. I know from my own personal experience with my bipolar 2 condition that I’ll have those thoughts. It’s not the same as being actually suicidal.

Anyways , just wanted to put that out there so you can get the most out of your therapy sessions. Just say “you know , I’m not suicidal, but I do have intrusive thoughts about suicide or I’m just not wanting to be here “. They know that language isn’t the same as somebody being actually suicidal and can help unearth what’s the root cause of that or help your process those thoughts. I hope that makes sense.

Good luck on your journey to better mental health. You’re doing great!!!!

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