If I tell my psychiatrist I cut, will I have to go to hospital?

Answer 1

Probably not. It depends, as most people have said, on the severity of the cutting. A qualified psychologist will be able to tell the difference between cutting that is NOT suicidal, versus actual plans or attempts at suicide. People cut themselves for many different reasons (there are posts here about that), such as to feel a sense of control, or to overcome emotional pain or even to feel "alive"! With good therapy, you should be able to overcome the urge to cut.

It is a good sign that you are already wanting to seek help!

Only in the latter case, and not always then, would you be sent to a hospital. It would happen if the counselor/doctor, felt you were in imminent danger of harming yourself.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Absolutely NOT. The only time that a physician or a psychiatrist can compel you to go to the hospital is if you are at imminent risk of serious (generally interpreted as life threatening) harm to self or other. Cutting is potentially harmful but it does place your life in jeopardy. In addition - you should always be honest with your physician / psychiatrist or why go at all. Finally - if the psychiatrist is any good they should already suspect or know that you are a cutter. This is a reasonably common problem and with therapy and or medication it should be treatable.

Answer 3

It's unlikely that they'll send you to hospital. Most decent psychiatrists will know that hospital is rarely a solution for self harm and in fact can often make it worse. If it gets to a point where your life is in danger from the severity of the cutting then hospital is a possibilty but other than that they're more likely to talk to you to support you through it.

Answer 4

If it is a true suicide attempt, or the cutting is bad enough to cause serious harm, your psychiatrist is obligated to tell authorities, which may lead to being admitted into a psychiatric hospital. If this behavior is just stress release, compulsion, or something else that only leaves superficial marks, your psychiatrist is likely to just help you work on the issues surrounding the behavior.

Answer 5

no, not unless its really serious, like your bleeding all over the floor in thier office.. or if you have serious keloid scars then maybe.. it depends on your psychiatrist in the end though. but they will talk to you about your situation, honestly it might make you feel worse for the first few sessions when you first start talking about it, the whole guilt trip they give you & they places they tell you you should go or to just stop, u'll get aggervaitd & get stressed out but when i told mine, well when i got thrown into counciling for it, thats all they baised it on, i was stuck in a room with a lady for an hour once a week & i lost it, i refused to go, the lady tore me apart left & right. i almost wanted to cut more after i left the office then i did before i went .. but don't take my situation to heart, i eventually found other ways to vent, i'm not perfect, i slip up every now & then .. but i guess i look now & say it wasn't that bad, ur doc will do what they think is best for you & u just kinda gotta go along with it .. good luck babe, any questions just ask ..

Answer 6

Not necessarily, I have cut for 17 years now and am only 31. I have been in hospital for depression and suicidal ideation but not for self-harm. My psychiatrist was really good when i told her about my cutting and she referred me to a therapist who helps with reducing the frequency and severity of doing it.

Seeking help for it doesn't mean you're expected to give it up straight away, you should learn other coping strategies first.

Answer 7

I'm not sure about that, but if you have a psychiatrist you must have either been referred there or you are making an attempt to get help, so the best thing to do is be honest with the psychiatrist so he/she can help you.

Answer 8

Not necessarily. A friend of mine has a big problem with cutting, along with other psych issues. She begged them to put her in the hospital and they refused, saying that wasn't where she belonged. She had previously been in the hospital and released (if they do put you in, they will usually only hold you for 72 hours) and was still in desperate need of intensive treatment.

Answer 9

v Didn't under stand what you meant till I read
some answers.
Ime positive the psychiatrist would have the best
possible interest for his patient and would not send
you any place ou don't want to go so trust the guy
and get well soon.

Answer 10

not necessarily.

If you cut as attempted suicide, then yes. If you cut just to make scars, etc. then no. You will probably be encouraged to stay in therapy, and possibly take medications, but you won't necessarily be sent to the pysch ward in a hospital.