Discussion How did people react to seeing your self harm?

[abruptum]

For anyone who has self harmed or has seen someone self harm how do family members or the general public react?
And not to get to personal but how did you self harm and what kinda of issues did it cause?

 

[Blue Rose]

In my case, my self harm was not serious.
But anyway, everybody was embarrassed and tried to make me stop.

Then, they always examined my looks at least for some days,
Until I crossed over my limit.

I used to use my sharp fingernail and hands myself mainly.
I used to pluck my hair(Head, around eyes, etc), scratch my skin with fingernail,
Pick my wound with my finger or some tools.

Sometimes I used to use sharp tools even.
(Knives, things which have sharp edges)

Severe stress and anxiety made me do this mostly.
And when I could not control myself and my conditions, I used to harm myself so.
It was a kind of method for revenging on other people too.

 

[lobster salad]

The public who saw it ignored it pretty much, pretended it didn't exist. That was great. I don't like explaining myself. My relatives laughed at me, made fun of me for making a tattoo on my arm. (I cut words on there) They started fantasizing on why I did it, my pop even thought that I was trying to be part of a gang or I was trying to support the blm. the social consequences are just so hard to bear with it's not worth sometimes.. I hate it when people ask me why I do it. I'm embarrassed. Its hard to always be wary of your surroundings and always hide it away but I stupidly let my guard down occasionally.

 

[WhatDoesTheFoxSay?]

I do it on inconspicuous areas. Either that or I use methods that don't leave lasting scars. In this way I don't have to answer to anyone. Won't go into the specifics but I use a blunt weapon.

 

[Red]

Mine was always either ignored and dismissed as "attention seeking" or highlighted in company that would just embarrass and Shane me into wanting to do it more. People don't understand and make very little effort to.
Just another thing on the list of "tiresome things red does", alongside "existing", "breathing", etc

 

[filthyrottendirty]

They ignore it mostly.

 

[Ender]

never showed anyone, no one would care.

 

[Panna]

No one really minds, in my case I bite my hands and arms, but as long as I can still use my body my folks and brothers dont mind.

 

[lofticries]

Mom was horrified and somewhat sympathetic. But still has no understanding of self harm.
Dad thought I was possessed or some shit.

I haven't self harmed in 4 years though. new years I was tempted to but knew if I did it would spiral out of control. usually anger triggers it a lot and I haven't been angry in awhile.

Don't think anyone else other than a few hospital staff have seen my scars. They're really faint now so you'd have to squint in order to see them.

 

[disabledsuicidegirl]

i cut my arms with a razor blade but really shallow, to where if someone sees it it could be seen as 'just anxety scratches', which i also pick my skin. when i just cut recently i have to hold my arms close to my body. someone who saw it said 'looks like your suicidal or something' but they still think its scratches, i hope.

 

[Mentalmick]

Any public that see them usually just look awkward. They're mostly on my legs so it's usually doctors and nurses that see them. I've been doing it for about 27 years and I've done most things but settled on good ol' cutting. I give myself large, very deep cuts with sterile scalpels, clean them then staple them closed. The last time was last night on my arm, the first time I've done that. I'm confused as to why. I can take a picture if you're curious.

 

[jesse]

I've always hid cuts with long sleeves and jackets. Peers that found out seemed to think it was "childish". For me cutting is a stimulation thing. It makes me beyond excited. It's been a couple years since I've cut. I also have a different problem where I hit myself. I don't think anyone normal can understand that. I just often don't know what to do with my anger, so sometimes it comes out at me. People would probably just call me mental if I could explain it to them. When I told a therapist all they told me was "stop". They don't get it.

I resist sh because I've seen what it can progress to. I've seen people making giant gashes in new areas of their bodies in an attempt to feel the same releif they felt years ago when making scratches. I'd like not to go down that path if I can help it.

 

[Mentalmick]

I resist sh because I've seen what it can progress to. I've seen people making giant gashes in new areas of their bodies in an attempt to feel the same releif they felt years ago when making scratches. I'd like not to go down that path if I can help it.

It's not a nice place to be, it really isn't.

 

[Blue Rose]

I have read all replies on this thread.

Normal people are so cruel. I would like to say it first.
Normals have their cruelty, and everyone doesn't see them at all.

 

[LastWhisper]

I have cuts and when someone sees it, it's like:
- "wow, suicide attempt?"
- "not the first, not the latest, haha"
- "haha, wait what?"
- "nvm, just kidding"
- "well okay"

but mostly yes, no one cares, which is good.

 

[WornOutLife]

I've never self-harmed but I have a peculiar experience.
When I tried to ctb last year, I had taken so many pills that I ended up passing out and it seems that at the moment I hit the ground, I somehow hurt my arm. It looked as if I had tried cutting my veins but I hadn't!

Here's the funny thing: doctors, my family and any person who saw me thought that I self-harmed myself frequently. They already knew I was a suicidal guy because of my failed attempt but that wound on my arm made them only give me "what a shame, such a suicidal guy" looks.

Now, I only have a small scar but truth be told, I don't give a damn! They can see me as a suicidal person forever and ever. I just don't care lol.

 

[Symbiote]

My mom taught me how to punish myself because she got tired of doing it since her hands hurt. Anything from hitting my own head with my hands, with objects, and with a wall. There was always a voice in my head of her telling me to do it harder and harder until blood comes out. I didn't know any better of course and no one had stopped me from doing that when I was little.

 

[disabledsuicidegirl]

i hit myself too

 

[phoenixx]

I have self harm scars everywhere, the ones people see are on my left arm (literally covered in scars) and my right wrist, which is pretty much destroyed from the deep cuts I did there. I stopped hiding my scars on my arms for years now, because I got fed up of wearing hoodies all the time and covering them up. I've had a few stares, one or two people have questioned it out of curiosity but other than that, nothing (which I'm very thankful for). No one sees any fresh cuts/scars that are on my legs or the rest of my body, just the ones on my arms from a long time ago when I first started cutting.

 

[Mentalmick]

My cpn isn't going to react well to my latest escapades. No, she really isn't. Probably going to be a massive guilt trip.

 

[virginiawoolf]

hmm. i have a few scars. people i've had sex with (the only people who would see) haven't commented on them apart from one and she asked me if i was okay and told me to go to therapy / a doctor. i told somebody else what they were but they didn't believe they were self-harm scars. it was quite strange. i guess they were quite faint at that point.
in conclusion. nobody cared to say anything to me.

 

[FailureGirl]

My lower left arm is covered in a mix of old and new scars I also cut other areas but to a much lesser extent some strangers give me odd looks but most don't comment my family doesn't say much but I get the very occasional call from my mum because my sister noticed and was concerned.
I don't really care much if my family see its my body not theirs.

 

[!WILL!]

Horribly. I got yelled at and ridiculed until I cried and then got yelled at for crying. It's part of the reason why I keep my suicidal thoughts to myself.

 

[mold]

My mom called it stupid, my friends who saw it by accident would stare at it but not say anything, and people I've told have just said they were sorry. All reactions made me feel like shit tbh but I'm not sure what reaction wouldn't

 

[rosie93]

For anyone who has self harmed or has seen someone self harm how do family members or the general public react?
And not to get to personal but how did you self harm and what kinda of issues did it cause?

Is cutting your hair very short on your own and biting your nails till they bleed and scratching yourself till you bleed considered as a self-harm?

If so, my family just laughs at me.

 

[mold]

Is cutting your hair very short on your own and biting your nails till they bleed and scratching yourself till you bleed considered as a self-harm?

If so, my family just laughs at me.

i'd say yes, since you are quite literally inflicting harm on yourself