How Not to Get Hospitalized 101

As someone who has been 'suicidal' in the past and is again, I've been looking to gain some insight into myself, my feelings, and basically to figure out what's going on. I've been considering talking to a therapist, but he's been really bad about scheduling, so I actually haven't met the guy that I ended up picking out. That and basically my worst fear is being put back in a hospital, because I had a super bad experience with that about nine years ago.

Those of you who have read some of my other posts (specifically the one about Valentine's Day) know that I have a weird situation going on with a guy that I was dating where we're still kind of acting like we're dating, but we're not. Anyway, a few days ago I found this book on his shelf (he's a psychiatry resident) and decided to order it myself and give it a read: The Assessment And Management of Suicidality (Practitioner's Resource), or as I like to call it How Not to Get Hospitalized 101. It's a 70ish-page short guide for practitioners to assess suicidal people, determine their acute vs. chronic risk, and recommend 'appropriate care'. Not only has it given me some insight as to my own risk, but it also has told me exactly what mental health professionals are looking for when they are trying to figure out whether or not to put someone in a hospital. I consider this exceptionally valuable information.

One added bonus is that it also says things like "you can do x to make the patient feel more comfortable talking about y" although so far it hasn't really said why. I find that less important, but still interesting. If I am in a therapy situation again (or that guys is trying to get me to tell him things, which he does employ his training for on occasion) I'd like to at least be aware of the devices being used on me for an end, even if I don't mind them.

I'm putting this here in hopes that maybe this book can help someone else in the way it's helped me. Cheers =]