[coyotee]

I rarely self injure. It's been a couple years actually. But I was really really really sad and out of my mind and I just went off on myself. I probably have over 50-60 long line cuts all over my body. Not too deep, but they bled red. On my arms, legs, stomach, chest.

I have some gastro issues and I have an appointment coming up with my gastrointestinal(gi) doctor and I'm scared I'm going to have to roll my sleeve up for a blood pressure reading. The gi also touches my stomach in certain points to pin point pain areas and sometime he does it with my shirt rolled up.

Whats the worst that could happen when he sees those?

It depends on the individual doctor's compassion regarding SH, I feel.

A doctor has seen mine because I had to unbutton a tight work shirt to reveal my shoulder and upper arm (too tight to roll up) and he asked "why do you have so many marks?" I simply said "You don't want to know" and he dropped it.

Hopefully he empathises with MH issues?

If you are worried about being put into the hospital, I sincerely doubt that'll happen.

If asked, I'd personally say something simple and to the point like "I struggle with self-injury, but I'd rather not talk about it right now"...or something along those lines. It is nothing to be ashamed of.

[coyotee]

Ok that's a relief. Thank you for your replies. May do that. Trying to heal soon and blame it on a "new cat" but I don't think that's believable

[passionfruit3]

Well does it look really bad my friend got admitted for cutting after she showed the psych people her scar and they admitted her she wanted to be though but still it's not likely but can happen

[coyotee]

it looks bad because there are a lot of them and because I have pale skin so it's a stark contrast with the red. None of them look like serious injury would have occurred. They're all at the surface.

[AlittleUnsteady]

It's very unlikely. Cutting does not mean you are suicidal. The main reason they admit people is if they are trying to kill themselves through cutting, and usually if that's the case, the cuts are pretty bad. If you tell him you were not trying to kill yourself, that should end the questions.

[splitimage]

I had an appointment for a physical one year, when I was actively self-injuring, and very stupidly self-injured quite extensively the night before. The way the cuts were, I couldn't pretend that they were anything but self-injury. My Dr. saw them, and asked what that was. I said "It's just something I do sometimes when I feel bad." She then asked if I was getting any help for it, and I told her I was. She left it alone after that. Now she periodically asks me if I'm still cutting, and I'm happy I can tell her no.

splitimage

[alpacalicious]

It happened to me too. I'm talking only about my personal experience. Every doctor is different. I had a visit years ago and I had to take off my clothes, so my arms were exposed, and there were past scars. I was so afraid that the doctor would point them out, but he didn't say anything. I tried to hide my arm so I don't know if he saw them or not.
But you will go to the doctor not for your scars, but for a medical problem. So I think the doctor will focus on the visit. Then, you are not obligated to say anything to him or to make an explanation. You can say it's an issue you had in the past, if you want.
Good luck for the appointment

[rwwff]

Originally Posted by passionfruit3

Well does it look really bad my friend got admitted for cutting after she showed the psych people her scar and they admitted her she wanted to be though but still it's not likely but can happen

Good chance the psych folks picked up on the desire to be admitted and took their chance to get her serious help while they had the opportunity.

[notz]

Several years back when I was going to have a hysterectomy I told the doctor I had scars on my belly, they were about 10 years old at the time and still raised and pinkish. She looked me in the eye and there was an understanding that came over her face as she realized they were self inflicted. She said she'd seen that many times and not to worry. That gave me a lot of relief. I hope you will not worry too much.

[MsAmbrosia]

I have many, many scars on my arms, upper legs, shoulders and stomach. I avoided doctors for many years and have recently found myself visiting them regularly. No one has actually asked about them (One did when i was a teenager, that was all). They take my blood pressure and the nurses never even bat an eye. I feel these days they've seen it all. I have found myself making uncomfortable jokes when they touch my arms like "Oh don't mind me!". That's just my insecurity. Hopefully yours will be the same, unless you want them to ask.

[likewater]

So, being the genius I was, I always used to cut on my ankles because my socks would hide it. Well, I guess it could've saved my life when i cut way too deep one time because the ankles are so far away from your heart. A few years ago I fell at work and hurt my ankle. I had to show doctors my foot and ankle and they asked about the scars. I just told them I used to be a cutter.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by QuietMind

It depends on the individual doctor's compassion regarding SH, I feel.

A doctor has seen mine because I had to unbutton a tight work shirt to reveal my shoulder and upper arm (too tight to roll up) and he asked "why do you have so many marks?" I simply said "You don't want to know" and he dropped it.

Hopefully he empathises with MH issues?

This is a good reply, imo

[skeksi]

I had one doctor ask who in the same breath offered an answer--"do you have a cat?" So I could evade. And one doctor who I could hear discussing it with a nurse, but they never raised it with me.

I've thought about it and decided that if I am ever asked, I will say, "they are related to something bad that happened to me. I see someone about it." I figure that would shut down discussion or concerns.