I keep running into this problem while seeking medical care for non-psychiatric problems. 

I’ll be given surveys that ask me about my moods, and I answer the questions honestly. That means admitting that I have suicidal thoughts daily (without any plans). 


This leads to intense interrogations about my suicidal thoughts and whether I intend to hurt myself. The answer is always no, but they don’t typically believe me. Like, they ask those questions separately, and I answer the questions separately, but they still won’t accept it.

I feel like it is impossible to explain to people who don’t have this disorder. 

I have had suicidal thoughts since I was a kid, and I will always have suicidal thoughts. I am able to identify them and ignore them, but it’s still something that pops into my head constantly. 

Because I don’t actually intend on making a plan or following through, should I just stop telling doctors about this if I’m not seeking psychiatric help from them?

It feels weirdly manipulative to say I have suicidal thoughts and then try to downplay them. It also wastes valuable time. Plus I’m terrified of being involuntarily hospitalized for suicidal ideation.

I just literally don’t know what to do in these situations. I don’t know if it’s worse to lie about it. Most people just don’t have recurrent suicidal thoughts and can’t imagine what it’s like to live with them. 