[rave]

So I have some new, noticeable scars on my arms and I'm afraid of people asking what they're from. Just wondering if some of you run into this and what do you say? Someone close to me asked recently and I flat out lied.

[bronzeowl]

I get asked sometimes. After a decade battling this, I do one of two things. Tell the truth, or tell them to mind their own. Most times, they seem to already know, anyway, and only want confirmation.

[rave]

Originally Posted by bronzeowl

I get asked sometimes. After a decade battling this, I do one of two things. Tell the truth, or tell them to mind their own. Most times, they seem to already know, anyway, and only want confirmation.

Yeah. I mean, if they want to know, sometimes I wish they would just ask straight up. But then I don't want them to ask..... It's confusing....for me anyway

I just used to lie when people did see. It was rare though. I do everything I can to make sure my scars don't get seen!

[rave]

It wasn't a problem til it started getting warmer. Darn the need for sleeveless shirts!

[STASlS]

I never told anybody what some of my scars are from. I'd try to cover them with bandages, wristbands, or shirts with long sleeves. If they did ask, one of my responses would be something like "it happened while I was cutting ___ in the kitchen", or "I fell onto this sharp thing."

[tealBumblebee]

Originally Posted by rave

So I have some new, noticeable scars on my arms and I'm afraid of people asking what they're from. Just wondering if some of you run into this and what do you say? Someone close to me asked recently and I flat out lied.

A year or so after my first time, I was on a trip and this girl said: "What is that scar from?" I brushed it off and said, I don't know. I have so many scars that it's hard to keep up with what came from where. They're old. She then gave me a silly face and sarcastically said "Teal...did you used to be a cutter? " And I responded with a " Yeah...that's exactly it." She laughed and moved on.

I find that the best lies have a little truth in them.

[rave]

[QUOTE=tealBumblebee;3799353]A year or so after my first time, I was on a trip and this girl said: "What is that scar from?" I brushed it off and said, I don't know. I have so many scars that it's hard to keep up with what came from where. They're old. She then gave me a silly face and sarcastically said "Teal...did you used to be a cutter? " And I responded with a " Yeah...that's exactly it." She laughed and moved on.

I find that the best lies have a little truth in them.[/QUOTE

That's a refreshing response. Thank you for telling me Years ago, when I was cutting often, some of my friends would see the scratches and make jokes about them. I don't think they did it intentionally (meaning I don't think they know where they came from), but it was awkward and hurt a little.

[SoupDragon]

l rehearse saying "Life hasn't always been that easy for me" then walking away,

[waggiedog]

Hello and good evening everyone, especially you Rave, as it was you who started the thread I believe. As I'm an ''old'' hand at the scars cutting/self harm I've had many many questions over the years, way back in the dark ages when I was 17 I was self harming and cutting a lot, but it wasn't something the world knew about, even I thought I was the only one doing it. A lot of the scars have never gone away and plus there are more scares on top of the already existing. Usually I've managed to brush them off by saying my horse got caught in a barb wire fence! This actually DID happen and everyone knew I kept horses. Obviously that wasn't how I got them. These days I'm finding that with documentaries on TV etc, people are aware self harm/cutting happens. I have had a school friend meeting me lately when we walk our dogs, we've known each other for around 45 years but she's never known about my BPD or self harm!! She thought I just got depressed sometimes (I was often in the Psych Hospital). I told her and showed her my scars, Yes, she was a little shocked but more out of concern then to judge. TBH I DO now tell people if they ask, but my scars do look very obvious, they look just like cuts would have been on someone who typically slashed their wrists in a TV film!!! My scars are tell my life story, just as my tattoo's do. HUGS and LOVES.

I usually go with self deprecating stuff.....

q: "how did you get that"?
a: "i am such a klutz... so embarrassing... and then just be silent".

[maddnessreturns]

I think it really depends at what point you are in your recovery and how comfortable you are with the truth. I have scars on my legs from my teenage years (I'm 23 now) and haven't cut in years. Now I don't hide them, wear shorts and if someone asks I tell the truth. It may sound dumb but my current mind set on it has been if someone doesn't want to be my friend or whatever because I used to self harm then they aren't someone I need to be friends with.

[TheTurtleLives]

I didnt read all posts so it might have been said but a little tip draw on the scars like a black pen draw over the top of the scar it will look messy but it works