What To Talk About In Therapy: How To Get The Best Results – Part Five

I had an article about what to ask your Therapist on the first session. Be Ahead Of The Game With These Superior Questions To Ask A Therapist.

 

The next logical step after that article is what you want to discuss once you start. Some information you might not share right away or you may skim over in the beginning, but as you go on, you need to share more with your Therapist. Know the more you put into therapy, the more you will get out. 

Here is the information on the previous what to talk about in therapy posts

PART 1

How to Get the Best Results: What to Talk About in Therapy – Part One

Key points 

Your Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity

Family History

Medical Conditions

Religious Beliefs 

Political views 

Things you want to work on

PART 2

 What to Talk About in Therapy: How to Get the Best Results – Part Two

Key points 

Addictions and Bad Habits 

Substance Use History 

Attitudes about Medication

PART 3 

What to Talk About in Therapy: How to Get the Best Results – Part Three

Key points

Your Childhood 

Your parents and other caregivers 

Relationship History 

 

PART 4

What To Talk About In Therapy: How To Get The Best Results – Part Four

Key points

Sexual History

Whom you love (or hate) 

 

The key points for this post are:

Suicidal Thoughts

Homicidal thoughts

Delusions and Hallucinations

TRIGGER WARNING – MENTAL, PHYSICAL, SEXUAL ABUSE, AND SUICIDAL AND HOMICIDAL IDEATIONS

I am not an expert as a Psychiatrist, Doctor, or Therapist. I am an expert on real-life experiences of having mental illness due to childhood trauma regarding mental, physical, and sexual abuse. I feel confident talking about this subject of therapy because I have been a patient for many years. As always, if you are in crisis or need additional help, please get medical attention immediately. 

 

The Suicide Lifeline is at 988. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. 

Dial 988

 

The Domestic abuse hotline is National Domestic Violence Hotline

Hours: 24/7. Languages: English, Spanish 800-799-7233 and text SMS: Text START to 88788

 

I have yet to write this article until last for next week. I have thought of many ways to approach it. I have written it in a few methods, which sounded stupid and not in my voice. 

 

So here it is laid out before you. I bear my heart so that other people might be looking for how to tell their Therapist that they hear things or have thoughts of Suicide or homicide.

Delusions and Hallucinations

Delusions and Hallucinations are not the same things. The same mental condition may cause them, but they are not the same. 

 

A Delusion is a false belief in something. For example, someone might believe that their husband is cheating on them. That belief could very well be mistaken, but it is still possible. Other delusions are impossible; for example, patients might think they can fly. 


Baton Rouge Behavioral Hospital lists numerous delusions you may wish to look up.

Delusions

There are different forms of delusions. The grandiose delusions could be related to narcissists. It is the thought that the person is better than other people. An erotomanic delusion makes someone think that a famous person is in love with them. Thoughts such as these are often involved in stalking cases. 

 

In my case, I have been diagnosed with Schizophrenia. My condition is in remission due to medications. I do remember very fiercely that my abuser was stalking me. I knew he would kill me because I had “told” on him; that was my delusion.

Hallucinations

Types of Hallucinations affect your senses 

 

What you hear 

What you smell 

What you taste 

What you feel 

What you see 

 

Schizophrenia also plays a part in this. In my case, I always heard my garage door opener to my last house. I was still deluded that my abuser was trying to kill me by breaking into my home. I also heard a baby cry all the time. People were having hushed conversations about me in another room, trying to plan my fate. 

 

I feel these things are critical to telling your Therapist. Life-altering medication can change your way of life. When you are experiencing hallucinations or delusions, it is terrifying. Sometimes you think they are false, which heavily affects your mental health as you wonder what is right or wrong. 

 

Medication can stop these things from happening. It is so important not to be embarrassed or scared to tell someone. Your quality of life can improve so much.

Homicidal Thoughts

What does it mean when someone has homicidal thoughts?

Homicidal ideation is a thought pattern of wanting to kill someone and a plan to do it. 

 

When you have been severely hurt and think the abuser is after you, it is justified to feel like you want to end that drama. BUT two wrongs do not make a right. Tell your Therapist right away, especially if you have a plan and if you have the means to carry the plan out. 

 

I told my Therapist I wanted him dead, and I planned to sabotage his car. I had a nonfeasible plan because I am not a mechanic and have no knowledge of how to do that. I also did not have the means. I have no tools. My Therapist pointed these things out and directed me to my Faith in God. She showed that God said Do not Kill. 

 

It is scary actually to think like that, and I am humiliated to say that those were my thoughts. 

 

Please think very long and hard if you have homicidal ideation. You will have to live with yourself should you carry them out and the consequences of your actions.

Suicidal Thoughts

I have not tried to hide these thoughts here on the blog. I am by no means proud of them. I only share with the hope that someone will change their mind and their thinking and seek help before it is too late. 

 

You might think Suicide only ends your misery, but that is not true. It starts with the guilt of everyone who loves you, cares about you, and knows you. 

 

I left the numbers to get help at the top of this post. It’s essential to leave them here as well. 

 

The Suicide Lifeline is at 988. Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. 

Dial 988 

 

You can text that 988 number also. I know some people are more comfortable texting. Someone will text you back right away.

Conclusion

This post triggered me to write, and I feel naked in my soul. I do not write these types of posts for sympathy or anything except to help someone else. My whole goal for this blog is to come beside other survivors and lift them up. 

 

It is incredibly easy when you feel these things to think that no one understands and you are totally on your own to deal with them. It is sad and scary to feel that way. 

 

I absolutely say Please get professional AND personal help. Someone loves you and cares what happens to you. If you do not have a family or friend, you have other survivors and ME! I am in your corner. Reach out to me, and I will listen and help you find people to help.

Danielle Maxwell
Danielle is an in-the-making writer whose abusive past fuels her passion to advocate for fellow survivors and those with mental illness. She is adored by her husband, two sons, and puppy Jonah. Find out how she went from victim to victorious on her story page
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The post  What To Talk About In Therapy: How To Get The Best Results – Part Five first appeared on Butterflies and Tulips Blog.

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