Post by flyingcarpet46 on Nov 2, 2021 19:55:02 GMT
The standard conversation that typically ensues when an individual inquires, “Should I ever ask someone if they’re suicidal”
The first question a GP asked my daughter was - are you having suicidal thoughts. The next was - do you have a plan. Silence so he listed some. Crashing a car is the one stuck in my mind.
D deflected the question. Said she didnt want to answer it just then
At the end of the consulation GP said - I'm sorry, but I have to ask you ....this time , D replied. Slash risks. Suicide not self harm. GP then asks, what is stopping you. D replied - it may not work. And family and friends.
GP is faced with a dilemma. What is his responsibility here? He pauses and then says that he could refer her to a psychiatrist (no mention of how urgently) but that the psychiatrist would do what he was doing - prescribe medication (and some talking therapy - claimed counselling and therapy are the same thing.) My daughter agreed to give the medication a try (as her mum I am staying with her at the moment trying to foster a 'healing sanctuary' in her home ).
My daughter then arranged an appointment privately with a psychologist , recommended to her, who she says is lovely. But it is early days.
I do not think the question of suididal intention should have been raised right at the start or so bluntly - and certainly no mention of crashing a car . I see this this as a required 'tick box' question as much concerned with liability as anything. But i do appreciate that the GP is placed in a difficult situation here. More training is needed and a variety of approaches a GP might use once he ' has a sense ' of the person who is talking with?
Our circumstances are rather unusual as my daughter has a speech disability and so I was an intermediary in this conversation. I would guess that the impact would be even more distressing to anyone engaging in the conversation with the GP directly.
The first question a GP asked my daughter was - are you having suicidal thoughts. The next was - do you have a plan. Silence so he listed some. Crashing a car is the one stuck in my mind.
D deflected the question. Said she didnt want to answer it just then
At the end of the consulation GP said - I'm sorry, but I have to ask you ....this time , D replied. Slash risks. Suicide not self harm. GP then asks, what is stopping you. D replied - it may not work. And family and friends.
GP is faced with a dilemma. What is his responsibility here? He pauses and then says that he could refer her to a psychiatrist (no mention of how urgently) but that the psychiatrist would do what he was doing - prescribe medication (and some talking therapy - claimed counselling and therapy are the same thing.) My daughter agreed to give the medication a try (as her mum I am staying with her at the moment trying to foster a 'healing sanctuary' in her home ).
My daughter then arranged an appointment privately with a psychologist , recommended to her, who she says is lovely. But it is early days.
I do not think the question of suididal intention should have been raised right at the start or so bluntly - and certainly no mention of crashing a car . I see this this as a required 'tick box' question as much concerned with liability as anything. But i do appreciate that the GP is placed in a difficult situation here. More training is needed and a variety of approaches a GP might use once he ' has a sense ' of the person who is talking with?
Our circumstances are rather unusual as my daughter has a speech disability and so I was an intermediary in this conversation. I would guess that the impact would be even more distressing to anyone engaging in the conversation with the GP directly.