NuevaVida -> RE: Can theapists commit you to a mental hospital for admiting past suicide attempts in therapy sessions (8/30/2008 10:27:58 AM)
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Hi YHMA, As others have stated, past threats or attempts are not means to be committed presently. However, if he does tell a doctor he is thinking those thoughts now, the doctor can take steps to put him on psychiatric hold/observation. Last year when I had my break down, I told my MD (not my therapist) that "Steeps cliffs are looking pretty inviting these days" and he immediate got an alarmed look on his face and said, "You can't even joke about that with me." He's been my doctor for 10 years and knows my personality, and this was his way of giving me an opportunity to recant my statement, which I did and which he noted. He said otherwise he would have to take some extreme measures which I may not have intended for myself. I am grateful he did that. As for the emotional blackmail, it is such a cruel thing to do to someone. Having been in your shoes, my ex husband used to put that on me all the time, and it would leave me a wreck and feeling responsible for his well being. He would call me at 3am, threatening to kill himself. He would tell me things like, "Unless you come home there's no reason for me to live anymore," or, "OK, well you'll never see me again because it's over for me." Things like that. Such statements made it nearly impossible for me to let go. The last time he threatened to kill himself (while on the phone with me) I was shocked to find myself saying, "OK, well, bye then." and hanging up on him. I then called his brother and said, "You may want to call your brother; he's threatening to kill himself again" and that was that. It's a year later. The guy is still around, and I haven't talked to him in ages. The threats were just threats to make me feel bad and get what he wanted. They failed, so he stopped making them and is continuing with his life in whatever handicapped way he is capable of...WITHOUT my involvement. Not buying into his threats was one of the healthiest things I've done for myself. It was difficult as hell, and I cried a lot, but it was necessary. You are not responsible for his peace of mind. He has options. He knows what they are. He can choose to take them or choose not to, but whatever he chooses to do, it's his choice and not your responsibility. Loving someone sometimes means to stop enabling their unacceptable behavior. Loving yourself means not allowing that person to drag you down with him. You can not single-handedly save him. It must be his choice. If he chooses to leave this earth, it is not because you didn't save him. Please don't put that on yourself. I wish you well with this. I know it is hell to go through.
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