I am not sure about you but I wanted people to see I was self harming. I otherwise felt invisible amongst them.

I quite like the above response. Yes, how would you want the conversation to go? More specifically what are your expectations? Of yourself? Of the other party?

I actually used to rehearse such conversations. They happen more naturally now. Having worked on my self worth through CBT really improved things for me. I was always gregarious (defence mechanism) and met people easily but continuing that meeting into meaningful conversation took a great deal of effort. It's far easier now.