I got a death threat at work

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Today wasn't a great one for me. I saw an email from my boss who was angry that no one had responded to an email and called it "unacceptable". Despite this not applying to me as IT made a mistake and so I couldn't have seen the email, I burst into tears which my boss saw which was embarrassing.

Then later at work I spoke to a service user at the mental health centre I work at. He was lovely as always. I hung up after saying goodbye then two minutes later he called back and started yelling at me down the phone, saying that I said things to him that I did NOT say (they were mentioned as specific triggers on his file so I avoided them) and said that he was going to get a knife and essentially threatened to kill me. I was so shocked I just sat there holding the phone and crying before my manager took the phone and told him off. Is this something that happens with bipolar? My grandma has it but I haven't dealt with that from her. Then again, every person is different. I'm not the only person this service user has threatened to kill so he is now banned from using the service which honestly makes me sad because now he has less support. It was really scary because he kept calling back. It also hurts because he thinks I purposefully tried to hurt him and I didn't. I don't even know where it came from. Perhaps because he told me some very vulnerable/triggering information it made him snap shortly after? It really hurts even though I know it isn't my fault.


I'm so embarrassed that I cried at work too but I was extra sensitive as I had to deal with some health issues due to my eating disorder today and only now am being referred for help for it IN THREE WEEKS. Who knows how long it will take to come.

My work was nice, they let me leave early and I'm getting paid leave tomorrow. They said I should take some time off on holiday too. I'm really shaken as I found that terrifying. Yes it was a death threat over the phone, but he knows where I work and was talking about visiting before the outburst. Then again, he has never seen me. This has really raised my urge to self harm and binge eat so I'm trying to just distract myself.

The guy is obviously delusional. Like you said, he just might have Bipolar disorder.

If he doesn't know what you look like, I wouldn't worry about it.

Really sorry this happened to you.

I'm so sorry!

Please try not to be embarrassed about crying at work after receiving a threat like that--I think it's a very normal, reasonable, natural, and healthy reaction.

[Hug]

so sorry that you experienced that, I think you are right that he has some kind of mental condition. I have a friend who has type 2 Bipolar disorder and yeah they can experience EXTREME highs and lows. I hope you can enjoy your time off from work. If anything you sound like a very understanding and reasonable person.

I'm so sorry you were subjected to that. You shouldn't feel embarrassed for reacting in a natural way. And I doubt anyone at work would judge you for it.

I know I would be shaken up if it happened to me.

How are you feeling today?

I'm so sorry this happened to you and definitely hope you'll be kind to yourself and try not feel badly about it, as it wasn't your fault. It's been rare, but we have received some direct threats where I work and have been on lock-down a time or two as a result. It was very stressful. I'm glad your employer took it seriously and banned him. Dealing with stuff like that not only takes a toll on your wellbeing, it also impacts your ability to help others. I wonder if they could provide him with any other resources to use instead, though.

Video tape

Tape record

File criminal charges

"Customer always right"

I work in retail and any old turkey could just prance in and give me a hard time

Customers get away with everything because the company needs their cash

I get away with nothing

Even when someone else does something sometimes I get told off

"It's not what you know, it's who you know"

Correct

Not everyone has critical thinking skills

That sounds like a tough situation and I can understand your shock.

Also there is no shame in having an emotional reaction to this, even in public this is totally understandable and I think you are being unreasonably hard on yourself about this.

What is definitely not good is allowing another persons venomous words to infect your soul to the point that you then turn on yourself in an even more harmful manner.