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Are you open about the fact you self-harm, or do you hide it?

67 Answers
Last Updated: 04/17/2018 at 10:14pm
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Jessica McDaniel, LPC, LCPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

I have been practicing cognitive behavioral psychotherapy since 2007 with a diverse group of adult clients with various diagnoses, all races, and socioeconomic classes.

Top Rated Answers
heartfulSky71
January 29th, 2016 2:30pm
To be completely honest I hide it until its not that bad. No one really notices it.
87crayons
February 8th, 2016 8:12pm
Depends who I'm talking to. I will tell people if I'm on the internet or if I know them well enough. Otherwise it's hidden. I'm still ashamed about the fact that I did it.
smolbeangracie
May 25th, 2016 7:27am
I hide it, unless I am around a trusted friend that knows what I am going through.
Hiimme
May 30th, 2016 8:43am
I've actually been hiding it for around three years now because I don't do it in obvious places (i usually do it on my thighs, near my ankle or under where i wear my watch) and my culture teaches us not to point out our differences. but recently, I was trying to help my friend stop smoking and I let slip that "one month clean is good, that's way more than i've ever been clean" and now he knows but he understands that I'd like to keep it a secret. so i guess my answer is: i'm open (to one person) that i hide the fact that i self harm
Anonymous
June 6th, 2016 10:11pm
My friends and my family are aware of my self harm, some of it cannot be hidden from those who care. I hide the new wounds, marks, and scars but because I'm in recovery and trying to get hold of things I think it's all right some people know - because they also know I'm fighting hard against it.
Anonymous
June 7th, 2016 5:38pm
I hid it and i'm still hiding. I'm not very good to stop hurting myself.
Anonymous
November 15th, 2014 1:15am
I hide it because I am embarassed of that, I think that other people would think that I just want the attention but it is actually not like that, people who do not do it or never did it, they do not understand why I need to do it
toomanyfandoms12345
June 17th, 2016 1:04am
I hide it. However this could possibly be because I also have anxiety and thus get anxious when I feel I could possibly reveal my secret. I'm also embarrassed that I self harm so I don't want to look weak in front of others.
Anonymous
June 20th, 2016 2:04pm
I am open with my family (meaning my husband, not my two children because they are only four), and I am open with it here on 7cups.
BabyJay
July 19th, 2016 9:53am
I hide it. It scares me knowing that one day Il have to explain my scars to people. I don't want them to know my story.
michelle2000
July 20th, 2016 7:17pm
Personally, I hide it. It's mainly due to my anxiety though. I don't want people to see my scars and judge me based off of them or even think that I'm weak and useless because I already think that. So no, I'm not open at all about my scars. I can't even get myself to tell my therapist that I self harm, much less everyone else.
Anonymous
July 26th, 2016 9:21am
I think if you self-harm ,you should be open about it if you think it will stop another individual from doing it.
bubblyunicorn
August 2nd, 2016 3:22am
actually both depending on who is it i' talking to... my level of comfort.... my relationship with the person.. how much trust there is b/w us..and much more!
Anonymous
October 25th, 2016 8:35pm
I don't like people knowing that I had self-harmed, and I do my best to hide it from my friends and family.
Anonymous
October 16th, 2017 10:30pm
I'm not open about self-harm, but thats because I'm afraid. I do really want to be open about it, but I feel weak if I show it to anyone. I've been open to it to my school nurse, and my closest friend, but the response I got from both of them made me feel even worse about self-harming than I was before. But I do really admire the people who are open about self-harming, and wishing that I could be as open about it as they are. I hate hiding that I'm self-harming.
ShadowMirge
February 27th, 2018 6:25am
I tend to hide it because I don't want to worry anyone, but I know that self harm is not something that should and can be faced alone. Sooner or later, you will need to find a person whom you can trust and share about it to them.
Anonymous
November 19th, 2014 5:33pm
I hide it, i'm not comfortable with everyone on the planet knowing, although with the people that matter I have no reason to hide it.
ClaireyMarie
July 20th, 2015 11:52am
I usually hide the fact I self-harm, I feel it's a private thing and my way of dealing with things. Some people ask if my scars are from self-harming, and sometimes I tell the truth, if I feel that person is trustworthy, or if I feel they might have a similar situation.
Savana13
November 19th, 2014 9:13pm
I hid it because I was afraid of what people would think, but that is entirely up to you. Most hide it.
Anonymous
November 19th, 2014 10:10pm
When i used to hurt myself i wasn't ashamed about it, i kept it covered to prevent people seeing it. I harmed for myself and not for other people to see.
FlickeringCandle
November 13th, 2014 1:56am
I hide it, though if someone asks, I pull them aside and explain. I do know some people that don't hide it though, so if you make that choice, you aren't alone.
ThePoet
November 20th, 2014 11:19am
Im open with certain people. For example, my friends know its a more active thing, but my mother (whom I hate worrying) believes that it stopped a while ago.
Sputnik
November 12th, 2014 7:43pm
If i feel a person is not close enough to be shared things like these i tend to hide them. If it is a Psychiatrist whom i am getting consulted or a close family member or friend. It is not okay to hide it from them as you will harm them by not trusting them than harming yourself.
Anonymous
April 3rd, 2015 3:20am
I used to feel ashamed of my scars, but now I'm very open about the fact that I used to self harm. I wasn't at the time but now I realize that it's something I may be able to help someone get through because of my own personal experiences.
nosugar
April 22nd, 2015 1:32pm
I don't hide my scars, but I don't flaunt them either. I'm not allowed to wear long sleeves at school, but when I can wear them (outside of school) I will. Most of my close friends and my family know that I self-harm, but I'm constantly worried that becasue I don't hide my scars at school that people might think I am 'attention seeking' or 'crazy'.
Anonymous
May 2nd, 2015 10:20am
This is a very hard question to answer. It's all about context though! Those whom will make you feel bad for self-harm, I would certainly hide it from, because this will make you feel bad for something totally acceptable, besides that It's up to you who you're open about self-harm with, If you feel safe and secure in telling, then be open as you like about it :)
FrenchPaule
May 28th, 2015 12:17pm
It depends on the reaction of people : some of them want to help you or want to know why you do that, but some other almost insult you !
arielleCat990
November 22nd, 2015 10:39pm
I can be open to those I trust and wont turn their back on me but I hide it from those who will judge me and turn their backs on me.
dreamwithmelovers31
July 21st, 2015 2:58am
For me, i hid it for many years. as its extremely personal and its shameful, i used to think people viewed it as a sign of weakness
Anonymous
September 7th, 2015 1:04pm
I tend to be open about it with friends, especially close friends, but hide it from the general public and acquaintances.