We've been best friends 20+ yrs and she's 41. She got really upset over some things her father said to her and tried to hurt herself. She cut herself with a knife, more scratches than anything. She's always felt like she's disappointed him and has never quite measured up. I was about to take her for inpatient admission when she snapped out of it and started making sense. She has since realized how serious this was but refuses to seek medical/psychiatric attention. I'm a nurse and I've talked to her in-depth and pulled no punches about how serious this is and says she understands and does not want to hurt herself. It scared her very much which I think was a good thing. She had a long talk w/ her Mom & Dad and says she feels much better but won't tell her husband. My question is: Do I sit on this, just pay very close attention or do I tell her husband?
2006-10-22 18:36:00 · 6 answers · asked by milldan65 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Take a step back from it and look at it as a nurse being asked this question by someone else. You'll know what to do. Personally if I thought she her life was at risk and that her husband could deal with it appropriately I tell the husband. He can't let her know that he knows. She still needs you there to talk to.
2006-10-22 18:43:09 · answer #1 · answered by soxy190 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You have to tell her husband, I'm sure she felt bad befor and now is feeling better but, I'm also sure that she is still hurting inside and this could and probly will happen again, especialy if she had felt like this for a long time, it's not good at all. Her problem with her dad is still unresolved and need to be fixed, besides telling her husband how she is have you tried telling her dad? What did he say to her or is that to personal?
I'm sure that if you tell her husband, that she will still trust you, and she should since your a friend trying to help out, if you've been friends with her so long she'll understand. This also effects her husband, they live together, she should have told him anyways, how ever she feels will be unleashed at home wether he knows why or not.
2006-10-22 18:53:06 · answer #2 · answered by jeff 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you are going to have to make this decision on your own. Here is what I see though...If you DO tell people, she will probably end up under constant supervision and lose most of her freedom. She may end up in a psycho ward, and if she can regain control of herself even some of the time, it will be like a prison to her. If you pick this choice, you could be sentencing her to life in prison. This might not be the way it plays out, but it could be like that. If you DON'T tell people, she will still have her freedom but she may snap one day. It might lead to her suicide, and she may kill others before taking her own life. What you can do is talk with her and help her get through it. I do not reccomend a therapist if you take this route because that is taking the first route indirectly. I cannot tell you which choice to make, but be sure you choose wisely. If you are confident with your choice you will have no bad conciense because of the results. I wish you well....
razor
2006-10-23 11:10:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She definitely needs psychiatric help and yes, I would tell her husband. She was attempting suicide. She needs to be on a 24/7 watch so you and her husband and maybe her parents need to rotate and make sure she's not alone...ever. Encourage her to get hospitalized. You might even want to contact the psych ward of your closest hospital and ask for their recommendations on how to get her to go in for help.
Good luck!
2006-10-22 18:47:34 · answer #4 · answered by outtahere 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
it sounds to me that she understands the seriousness of it, and i dont think it is your place to tell her husband, if she finds out you told her husband she may lose trust in you and if she can't tell you then you don't know if she will be able to tell anyone else and that can be serious. sit her down and talk to her about telling her husband. offer to even be there with her when she tells him...
2006-10-22 18:45:52 · answer #5 · answered by tiffers 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scratches don't kill. Tell your husband.
2006-10-22 18:44:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋