Are you open about the fact you self-harm, or do you hide it?
67 Answers
Last Updated: 04/17/2018 at 10:14pm
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
Anonymous
October 6th, 2015 1:22am
I want to be open but I have always been difficult when it comes to opening up. There is no need to feel ashamed, there is no need to hide it. But you don't need to pressure yourself to open up. Do what you feel is best
I'm actually on my way to accepting my scars and not trying so hard to hide them. I used to do anything within my power to hide it, I didn't trust anybody at the time. I used to be ashamed of my scars, I'm still learning how to accept them and to wear shirts without sleeves without making it seem like I'm suspicious of something massive. I am now very open about the fact that I have self-harmed, but I'm trying my best to not be so self conscious about my scars. I fought my battle, my scars are there as a reminder that I have struggled but I've made it.
I was both, towards my friends who I was close to, I was very open about it they were quite understanding. Although I hid it from my parents for a long period of time, as they were quite judgemental.
Anonymous
November 3rd, 2015 8:39am
Personally I hide it as it is super personal to me. The reason I do is it is a method of nurturing myself a way of being in control of my own healing and I know that sounds weird to most people. My scars are part of me but showing them invites questions I don't want to share the answers too. I am neither proud or ashamed of self harm its just how I learned to cope, the only people who know are medical professionals and therapist - i guess for me it is no one else's business but its personal choice
I don't particularly hide the fact that I used to self harm, but I don't flaunt it around either. My scars are visible and I don't cover them even though I swim, but I am considering getting a tattoo to cover some of them as they are a part of my past and I believe you need to remove the chains of your past to really live in the present!
I don't say it at the first meting, like "Hello, I'm Sasha, look at my cuts!" I share this with someones who are close to me and who cares. It's an individual thing, but for me it's a taboo to show it to someone who didn't ask.
When I did it I hid it because I didn't want people asking. In this society if you show it people think that you just want attention but in reality we all just want help.
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