GP keeps asking me this *TW warning potentially distressing MH related *

[Felicia00]

So I've had a period of high stress and struggling to eat. I went to the gp to increase medication and ive made some lifestyle changes. I had my first major depressive episode when I was 13 I attempted to end my life quite a few times. I've had no episodes of SH since I was 17 very long time ago. It says on my medical records in big letters previous history of overdoses and ligatures. Endogenous depressions. I went to the GP and shared my worries they keep asking me am I thinking of suicide or harming myself. I'm not but they keep ringing me once a week or asking to book appointments, or get in touch with the crisis team if I'm feeling bad.

I'm not going to harm myself and its getting a bit annoying and making me not want to seek help if I did. I proactively got in touch before it reached that stage. I'm very honest with professionals.
I haven't attempted to harm myself in 13 years nor had contact with MH services in that time. AIBU to think this is all a bit much?

Better that they overly check on someone who has no intention of taking their own life than miss the person who has imo.

If they never checked up it would be even worse.

Completely normal and totally expected for a GP to ask anyone and everyone expressing the slightest element of low mood to be asked this. They would be doing it wrong if they didn't. It's not personal at all to your situation. Imagine if a patient did commit suicide and the GP hadn't asked them the day before about whether they intended to, but if they had the patient would've been honest and been got the right help.
It's just a standard safety question, you say no and conversation moves on.

I'm sorry that you're finding it upsetting. Unfortunately, evidence shows us that people who have past incidences of serious self harm or suicide attempts are more likely to try and harm themselves again.
Mental health can deteriorate fairly quickly and I think that once you have a period of time where your mental health stabilises then hopefully the phonecalls become less and you'll feel better in yourself x

There's lots of evidence that talking about self harm/ suicide helps to reduce it from happening. The theory that it puts the idea in people's heads is a myth.

I am sorry you are going through this. I don't have a history of this but it is a standard question when you have therapy on the NHS that the first question they ask before they start a session is do you have plans to do something.
I had therapy on and off for a few years so about 100 or more sessions meaning I would have been asked about 100 plus times.
I think you will find its just procedure but if its bothering you maybe speak to the doctor and ask for there to be a note not to ask you?

True but its incredibly painful when you have been proactive realising when things are going downhill for you so you attempt to change things before it goes down that road. To then be repeatedly asked are you going to do something, also reminding of you those times when you felt that way.

I understand I have more risk because of what I previously did but it was a long time ago. I think on one consultation the question would be fine but to repeatedly call and ask it is upsetting. My risk history I always told them I had thoughts or feelings before doing it apart from one time.

I think they assumed previously i wasnt serious until it happened, I ended up being admitted to hospital twice once for 6 months but since 17 I have developed lots of coping strategies and have had no contact with secondary mental health services in all that time. It makes me worried to go to the GP if I experience a dip in mood usually a tweak in medication is all that's needed.

I haven't really had this question asked even when I've gone in to ask for increase/decrease in medication nor have they rang me lots of times or asked to book appointments. I'm wondering if it's a new initiative.

How well do you know your GP. Can you have a conversation with them to let them know you don't find this helpful and that it adds to your stress. They are likely following a protocol but protocols are not one size fits all and most can be modified to be more person centered. You would need to talk to them though.

I agree with Freefall - speak to your GP and explain the phone calls are counter productive.

FWIW I am currently avoiding seeking MH help because I believe it will leave me worse off, so I sympathise if you are feeling dragged under by what your GP is doing. I would feel worse for them doing that, if I were in your shoes.

Thanks I think by now I have good insight into my MH and the warning signs which are pretty consistent and the same. It starts with neglecting my personal hygiene, eating less , ruminating then becoming more irritable then crying more. Withdrawing, staying in all the time , listening to sad music then comes the intrusive thoughts of SH then finally attempts.

I normally have strategies I will ask gp for tweak in medication then , make small steps shower, make a phone call self care. Actually go to work or clean. Change the main stressor it normally resolves it's self in a few months.

Plenty of people with depression and a history of self harm would be grateful to receive the level of concern and attention you're getting from your GP practice.

This is just a wild shot in the dark but have you tried talking to your GP and saying "I don't need quite this level of intervention, thanks".

I have told them they still do keep doing it. I'm not sure if they believe me.

They will be more cautiou after, in your words, "they didn't assume you were serious until it happened".
A lot of gp's and talking therapies use the Phq9 and Gad 7 questionnaires (you can have a look at these online) to try and assess mild to moderate depression and they may just be using these tools with you to try and create a good understanding of your current mental health x

The GP is doing their job.

Think about it statistically; your GP will have seen 100s, if not 1,000s of patients over the years.

Consider the high rates of suicide in the UK.

Your GP has most likely lost a patient to suicide and potentially suffered hugely because of this, mentally, emotionally and if an inquest was involved had questions about their professional capacity too.

Your GP is trying to stop a tragedy; actively trying to save your life.

Have a conversation with them and talk about where you feel you are now, but remember they are flesh and bone, just as you are, and have potentially witnessed suicide/suicide attempts, &/or even tried to commit suicide themselves.

This is difficult for them as well as you.

Just tell them OP - they're covering their asses and you can give them permission not to bother. Explain exactly what you've said here and ask to be removed from their "suicide watch" as it's stressing you out and making you less likely to reach out for help when you need it. One size doesn't fit all for MH but they're trying to do a good thing and need you to tell them it doesn't work for you.

Personally I think it’s way over the top ….knowing the level of input that many people with mental health challenges get(including myself , my parent and many of the patients that I have worked with,particularly children and young people ) ,I can see why this feels in excess of both your needs and your current risk level.

But equally ,from a good practice perspective the gp does sound like they are being proactive in following up after a medication change, sometimes you just have to play the game and book a review to allow them to update your notes appropriately.

I think you need to reframe it up - they can’t change it, it’s there to keep you safe.

You could preempt their questions by reassuring them first? And if they do ask recognise and feel some comfort that you live in a caring society that cares about your life and well being. Imagine all of the countries you could live where no one would ever think to ask or care.

I can see why it’s frustrating for you when you have come so far - and made such progress but ultimately that warning was put in place so you are here with us today, posting on MN.

I actually think you're receiving a great service. But if its triggering you, or making you feel worse, you could perhaps talk to them about what you'd prefer.

I'm on your side with this. I'd find this really intrusive.

Personally, I'd be tempted to block their number unless you were expecting a call from them.

OP, would it help if they at least prefixed it with, "I know some people find it over cautious of us to ask it, but we have to ask because overall it's helpful even though some patients find it irritating..." or some such?
Is it not just that they ask, but, also, they don't even seem to listen to your opinion on this?

If you've a history of DSH and have gone in with low mood you'd be flagged as a high risk patient. They don't want to stand in front of the coroner and explain why they didn't follow you up.

The thing is asking someone who is very far into recovery have you thought about killing or harming yourself recently? is upsetting especially when it's asked multiple times. I have historic risk yes but it was more than a decade ago. They never did ask me a long time ago gp said I can't magically make you feel better, so maybe things have changed. But I still don't find it helpful being asked multiple times when I'm not suicidal, I'm depressed yes but not suicidal.

Hope you're ok.

Tricky one for GPs to get right I think. If they didn't check up and something happened to you that could be worse?