[ScarletPimpernel]

I now see my scars as signs of strength from surviving my past. But I used to be ashamed of my scars. I would always keep them hidden/covered. I am especially careful around children because I know they are very inquisitive and blunt. I also make sure to hide my scars from people I know won't understand or will make them uneasy. But otherwise I don't hide them.

But I have realized something peculiar...most people have no clue what my scars are!!! I recently decided I want tattoos over my scars (for many reasons, but not to hide them). I have fresh scars on one arm, so I have to wait. I went to the pharmacist, showed her my scars, and asked her how I can make them heal faster. She had no clue it was from SI!?!? She actually asked me how I got them, and when I explained she looked confused.

Then some friends came over to my house and saw the one tattoo I did get. They asked me why I did it. I pointed out my scars (which were not hidden), and they asked what the scars were from!

It just surprising how little some people notice or understand!

[SoupDragon]

l think it can be really hard for people who do not SI, to understand it. But l think it is great you view your scars as a sign of strength.

[beloiseau]

I don't know if I would have known what they were if I saw them on another person before I started to. Now I wonder if every little mark on someone is SI. It is surprising how little people know about things like this unless they have experience. Even when I was in the hospital and didn't have long sleeves all the time to cover my arms, people would look and make comments.

[Hoppery]

I know the feeling. Each time my mother sees the scars, (She doesn't know about self harm, she believes the lies I tell of how I got them) she reacts with disgust and wants me to keep them hidden from other people. I'm glad I made the choice not to tell her I cut because my life would be much harder to live then it is right now.

Don't hide them, show them.

It used to be a lot worse. I've been self harming since I was about 6 which is way over 30 years ago. No one knew anything about it, even doctors. I lied about it to everyone. Now we have the internet where there is a lot of knowledge and also doctors and therapists tend to know way more about it than they did 30 years ago. So at least there are people who can relate and try to understand and help now.

But in a way it's good because it means that most people don't do this.

[bronzeowl]

I think it's a good thing, too. It means they've never considered it. Never done it. And for someone who's not in the medical field or the psychology/psychiatry field and/or has never self harmed themselves, it may be shocking to hear some people do.

On the other hand, though, awareness is always a good thing. Being aware that it happens helps people realize when someone they love is doing it.

My own sisters didn't recognize my scars. I used to hide them, too. Lately, I'm less self conscious about them. So, when I got in the heated pool while we were in Michigan, I wore shorts that showed some of them. One of my sisters saw the scars and asked if they were from my dog attack. I was baffled. Confused as to why someone who's known me all my life didn't know what they were. Then I realized I never really talked about them, so I couldn't blame her for not knowing what they were.