what do they mean when they ask 'do you think of harming yourself'????

[blushingm]

it may sound like a really stupid question. I am askws this everytime I see my consultant/registrar/gp

do they mean do you want to hurt yourself? or do they mean have thoughts of how you could hurt yourself if you really wanted to but you'd be too scared to do it?

I never know how to answer so i normally just say 'don't think so' or shrug

for example we have been decorating/sorting stuff and there was a broken lamp with really jagged sharp edges. I thought how I could cut myself with it (on purpose). I have also wondered what would happen it i took all the tablets i have in the house - i don't think i'd ever go through with it though

when i was about 14 i took about 30 paracetamols but nothing happen - I never told anyone either

So do I answer yes to the hurting yourself question or no because i don't think i'd ever go through with (again) the thought is there for a few seconds a minte at the most

sorry if this sounds really dull but i seriously don't know what to say. I don't think I'm ill and don't want the doctors to think so by mistake......or am i ill and am just in denial....goodness i really don't know

i've also had a letter from my gp surgery to make an appointment and also bring my ;store' of medication with me. i stupidly said to new registrar that i have though what would happen if i took all the pills i have at home (with changing meds i have quite a few) - she must have told my gp when she requested a preescri[ption for my meds.

sorry if this has turned into a long winded ramble

literally self harm, some people find it as a form of escape

friend of mine cuts herself when she is depressed as she feels it relieves her depression/anxiety

I would say if you have thought of cutting yourself with the really jagged sharp edges then you have thought about it but you've never put it into action which is a good thing

It could mean either. You have to be honest with them so they can help you. They won't know what thoughts are in your head unless you tell them. Just be honest, write it down if you find it difficult. I hope it all works out for you.

say what you have said here

suicidal or thoughts of self harm are an indication of how depressed you are it is p[art of the diagnostic process and if the thoughts stop then it may be a sign that you are moving into a more positive frame of mind etc

depression is self reported so very subjective but there are sets of questions and scores which can be taken from specific series of questions to aid diagnosis

if you are considered a danger to yourself or others then in patient may be necessary..tho its highly unlikely as there isnt enough provision

sorry you are depressed

x

I think they are primarily interested in a risk assessment -- i.e. in establishing whether there is a chance you will either attempt suicide or engage in 'self-harm (cutting, burning, etc.)

I know that it is also possible to have powetful flashes through your mind of harming yourself -- which you would never put into action. These are a very important sign of your mental distress, even if they don't constitute a risk of actually doing yourself harm.

I would say: mention these thoughts if you think it will help you to get the help you need but not otherwise.

It won't be helpful for you particularly if the health professionals go into self-protective risk avoidance mode, which they might feel they hacve to if you speak of these things.

You know the risks better than them.

The fact that you have had these thoughts it might be considered that you are having thoughts that you wouldn't have if you were 'well' would it not? I don't know your background, but I would have thought that if you were 'well' (meaning not feeling depressed or low) you wouldn't have thoughts about harming yourself fleeting or not.....How are you when you are well and happy? I guess everyone has fleeting thoughts of 'what if' at points in their lives, but it could be a sign that your mental health is going down hill? Do you remember how you felt when you were depressed before? It could be your brain sending you messages that things are not great at the moment. I would speak to your doctor, it is up to you if you go on anti depressants or not, it would be better for you and them to monitor your thoughts in case they do get worse or better, to see how you are doing....good luck xx

i can't go into hospital

i'm really owrried now. i always think that i'm not really ill and everyone is making a fuss about nothing. I've felt like this for a long time - does that mean i'm ill and haqve been for a while. I've been on medication for almost 2 yearss now

so do i answer yesr to thoughts of harming myself then? i can't help thoughts just popping in there - i really don't think
I'd ever act on it. I'd be too embarassed to say about the paracetamols.

Doesn't everyone think like this then....is it jus me and people who aren't well??

Registrar says if you broke your leg you'd take pain medication and hope it heals in time and that mental illness is the same......i don't feel ill so i find it hard to carry on taking medications......or am i ill and just in denial........these thoughts go round and round.....maybe i'm just mad

from my experience you dont have those sort of thoughts unless you are depressed or becoming depressed..

i have had these kind of thoughts recently i was on a bridge and thought what if

it is definitely a sign that you are vulnerable even if you know at the moment you wouldn't act on the thoughts

dont worry the chance of you going into hospital is negligible even if you do something drastic

if you have had treatment for a long time is it benefitting you?

how do you cope day to day?

sorry i spent so long tying i cross posted!! snottyshoulders (love that name) i'm on fluoxetine and mirtazapine. i think i've had these thoughts popping in for a while - i can't remember when they started

Please don't get too stressed at the thought of discussing this with the doctors. Respect your own insight into your mind, and just speak to them in the way that you judge will be most productive.

If you do decide to discuss it with them, you can put down what you have written hear and I imagine they will be able to accept your self-assessment that you will not actually harm yourself.

I do think that these sorts of thoughts are a strong indication of distress. I have had them on and off all my life, sometimes more vividly than others.

On balance I think that it is best to be truthful -- the more they know about you the more they can help. But you have to be able to trust the medic you are speaking to.

You aren't mad to have these thoughts or to feel confused about whether to discuss them.

i cope by trying to think about nothing or staring into space

i'm not sure if the medication etc helps. It means i have to think about it everyday and can't try to ignore it or think it's normal - i'm ashamed of what I think

I have to agree - it is best to be truthful. The more information they get the better placed to provide you with the help you need.
I had these thoughts at one time and looking back I can see it was a strong signal that I wasn't coping very well. I told my gp and got counselling and support.
Talk to your Drs .

i agree with what threadworm says

i am very wary of medics tbh but that is my experience you know yourself and your medics

some ads are better suited to managing anxiety, some for suicidal thoughts, etc at least that is the theory

i just don't get on with ads but other people find them helpful

do you feel you are good at having insight into your own mental health?

Please tell your dr what you said on here: that these thoughts pop into your head ocasionally but you wouldn't act on them. It's part of risk assessment, no major decision will be based only on your answer to this question.

Why do you find it hard taking the medication? Do you have any side effects?

thanks theadworm - i sometimes think they are looking for things and magnify them out of proportion to get a pat on the back from the consultant. I don't want to go and see one of the gp's at the surgery as i don't know what they would think of me

doctors are there to treat p[atients they don't generally form judgements

depression is sadly not at all unusual they are used to patients being wary of telling the truth

fantasising about self harm is one end of a spectrum, spotting opportunities, making plans etc it doesn't mean you are at risk..it means you are suffering and you are vulnerable

you can try some self managment as well as seeing medics..exercise, sleep at regular times, lifestyle hygiene can all help along side medication and therapies

at least they should

i hate the thought of taking medication - especially one for mental health problems. it sounds really stupid and insulting to others but i'm more ashamed go to the mental health outpateints than i would be going to the GUM clinic

wel it does have a stigma..it shouldnt have but it does

it isnt anything to be ashamed of and almost everyone has depression at some point in their lives

i have no motivation for exercise - i'm all with good intentions but when it comes to leaving the house i just can't be bothered

Blushingm - your attitude and motivation regarding exercise is shared my many

well that is kind of the problem

i am like that too

but if you can just force yourself it does help

also it it true mental health problems run in families?

chocolate is much tastier than excercise and warmer and drier too

chocolate has feel good chemicals so you are allowed that along with mango cheddar cheese banana turkey and stuff

mental health problems can have some genetic input i believe but i have argued about that on mn before

so hege that with all sorts of caveats please

thanks all. Sorry for th delay in replying but i had put dc's to bed and do tea etc.

so i really am 'not well' then?

do i see gp as letter says of just go to consultant app on 7th April. I can't see what gp could do for me?