What can you say/do to stop yourself from being hospitalised?

[Reapentence]

After a failed suicide attempt, what are the best things you can say/do to give you a better chance of getting out of being hospitalised? For example, how would you answer "Why did you do it?" etc.

 

[Anima]

I would probably say that I acted on impulse and don't really want to die, because there is so much to live for etc.. Although I do think it is very likely to get admitted, even if it's just for a short period of time. But I guess, it depends on where you're located.

 

[Davy]

It depends on where you live but usually they have to forcibly bring you to the emergency room if you are caught during an attempt.

There people will ask questions and assess the lethality of your suicide risk. Don't talk about having a plan, thinking about suicide, self-harm, ever doing drugs, being depressed and other stuff that makes you sound unstable.

 

[Anima]

Don't talk about having a plan, thinking about suicide, self-harm, ever doing drugs, being depressed and other stuff that makes you sound unstable.

Yeah good points!

 

[Soul]

I reckon it also depends a lot on what your method was. Some things can be plausibly excused as mistakes/accidents, which is what I was once told to say by a police who would otherwise have had to arrest me (CTB attempts were illegal at that time and place).

 

[Reapentence]

I would probably say that I acted on impulse and don't really want to die, because there is so much to live for etc.. Although I do think it is very likely to get admitted, even if it's just for a short period of time. But I guess, it depends on where you're located.

The thing is, I worry that if I say I acted on impulse, they will think I am an impulsive person so it won't take much for me to get angry and do it again. However, if I say I planned it out, that shows serious intent. You can't win!!

 

[Deadgirl]

I sincerely regret what i did and i promise to stay safe or if they suspect suicidality, lie and say either you have thoughts but don't intend to act or just say you completely do not have suicidal thoughts.

 

[TiredHorse]

A therapist once handed me an excellent Get Out Of Jail card: she asked me whether I wanted to die, or if I didn't want to exist. I took that cue and replied that I didn't want to exist, and I watched her change gears and decide not to have me taken into protective custody. Apparently the distinction is important to therapists in how they handle their patients.

So if you can plead that you don't want to die, you just don't want to exist, that might open the door for you.

 

[Anima]

The thing is, I worry that if I say I acted on impulse, they will think I am an impulsive person so it won't take much for me to get angry and do it again. However, if I say I planned it out, that shows serious intent. You can't win!!

That might happen, but then again, what other options do you or the medical staff have? Depending on the severity of your attempt they will take you to hospital for a check up/to treat your symptoms and then you'll probably have an appointment with a psychiatrist who evaluates whether or not you are a still a danger to yourself. That's one scenario. Definitely say that you are glad to be alive!

@TiredHorse The therapists I met never made a difference there, but it is probably worth a shot.

 

[TiredHorse]

@TiredHorse The therapists I met never made a difference there, but it is probably worth a shot.

I didn't say that one made any difference --though to be fair, she didn't do any harm, either-- but she had every opportunity to have me sectioned had she wanted to, and instead chose to give me the reply that allowed her to not section me. I think that counts in her favor.

Anyway, drawing the distinction between wanting to die and wanting to not exist might not work for everyone, but it's a good card to keep in the deck.

 

[Anima]

I didn't say that one made any difference --though to be fair, she didn't do any harm, either-- but she had every opportunity to have me sectioned had she wanted to, and instead chose to give me the reply that allowed her to not section me. I think that counts in her favor.

Anyway, drawing the distinction between wanting to die and wanting to not exist might not work for everyone, but it's a good card to keep in the deck.

Didn't say you did and yea, it certainly is worth considering

 

[ImSorryEmma]

Have a plan that isnt likely to fail in the first place...

 

[Reapentence]

Have a plan that isnt likely to fail in the first place...

Yes, that is a good first step haha. But unless you have access to N or firearms, you cannot be 100% sure your plan will work. I will be using SN, which is in it's early days at the moment as a method so I have to plan for all outcomes.

 

[JadedGray]

I always told my therapist that I didn't want to live but that I didn't have a plan when it came to ending my life. I have found that they are not likely to hospitalize you if you tell them you're depressed and not wanting to live but not in immediate "danger" of ending your life at the moment (as far as having a plan).

Once you have attempted, even if you tell them it was a mistake they are likely to hospitalize you, although it also depends on the method. If you OD on something OTC or something that doesn't require a long stay in the hospital and just being administered charcoal and being discharged that day they are unlikely to admit you to the psych ward. If it's something that required staying in the ER then they probably will. Also, depending on where you live they can only legally keep you for a certain amount of hours. In Canada, for instance they have a 72-hour hold, after that they have to discharge you unless they believe you're immediately going to try again. Once I was lucky enough that I was kept in the recovery unit long enough for the 72 hour hold to expire so I wasn't sent to the psych ward and discharged from the hospital. They are also less likely to admit you if they have no beds left. It also helps if you have someone advocating for you, like a family member (especially a parent). They can talk them out of admitting you and reassure the staff that they will look after you for the time being and that you will be "safe" to return home.

 

[Kyrok]

It wasn't a suicide attempt: accidental injection, auto-erotic asphyxiation, was trying to do urban primitive skin thing but cut too deep, etc.

 

[TiredHorse]

It also helps if you have someone advocating for you, like a family member (especially a parent). They can talk them out of admitting you and reassure the staff that they will look after you for the time being and that you will be "safe" to return home.

This.

My ex and I helped get a friend out of the hospital after she attempted by OD'ing with Tylenol (not the smartest friend). They gave her charcoal in the ER, were unspeakably rude/condescending about her attempt, and eventually released her to us with the understanding we'd keep an eye on her.