Hi,

When I did self-injure, I was careful to do it in places that were not obvious, and generally hidden from view, so that helped me a lot and still does in terms of scars. The few times anyone did notice, I said, "I got a cut" and that was all I needed to say - they didn't seem to need any more information.

The exception to this was my counselor. He knows where I have cut, etc., and has asked for more information and even to see the wounds a couple of times...I think mostly to make sure it didn't need medical attention, but also I think he wanted me to know he knew and I didn't have to hide it etc, and he didn't hate me or anything. I felt very ashamed about that at first but it was a good thing in the long run. I think it has helped me to work on stopping. I don't have as big problems with self-injury as I used to, or as some folks do, I think, but I have still wrestled with it, and my counselor has been really good about working with me on this.

However, I don't generally say anything to anyone else. Most people, in my experience, don't know how to deal with this information and find it very frightening. So at least for me, I would talk about it in counseling, for instance, but probably not in too many other places. I have a couple of penpals with whom I can talk about it, but most of the people I know in 3D would be extremely uncomfortable with this.

I have also had problems in the past with people mistaking it for suicidal behavior and I ended up in the psych ward on involuntary hold, so that was really awkward! That, too, has made me even more wary of discussing it with other people.

Anyway, I think less information tends to be better than more, unless it is someone you know really, really well, and you have some idea of how they might take it. If you are in counseling, your counselor might be able to advise you on talkign with your husband, for instance, if that is something you are wanting to try.

Take care,
ErinBear