When I was in high school I used to do a lot of sports and spent a lot of time in the locker room. I used to cut on my torso so normally my scars are well covered. Most of the time people didn't notice (or didn't say anything), but on a couple of occasions someone would point them out to me. They would always ask in a very "what the hell happen to you" kind of way.

The first couple times I froze and had no clue what to say. After that I starting making jokes about it whenever someone asked. Something like "I tamed lions on the weekend" or "lawn mowing accident". This left them confused, but at least they seem to understand a wasn't about to tell them all my personal issues.

I am sorry you are feeling so down. Like you said it sounds like she may not have know any better. Self injury was a big part of my life at one point so I tend to forget how many people just don't understand it.

Ugh. I hate when people make a big deal about my scars. It ALWAYS sucks. I'm so sorry that happened to you. :( Some people just really don't get it and either think they have to give a lecture on "cutting is bad" or else they freak out because they are afraid and are trying to get reassurance for themselves.

Yeah when people point it out and make a huge deal it makes it a lot worse. I'm sorry they did that to you. :( You should still wear shorts though. Ignore what they said the best that you can. Who cares what they think, they are rude and obviously ignorant to self harm.

It makes sense that you want to self harm again after that. I get like that too. Even if people don't know I cut and they just make a comment about self harm in general it makes want to cut even more. Or when that one therapist told me that scars were ugly, it just made me cut even more and I wasn't even cutting at the time.

Thank you, I really needed to have people that understand self harm to talk to and vent with.. I tried with my support person but she only made me feel worse and that has to do with her not understanding it, and I get it and I cant really tell her what to say to make me feel better... So I needed to vent and have the understanding from people that know.
Thank you everyone
Hugs

Your post is what makes me terrified about people seeing my scars. It is a hard thing to figure out. I want to believe that your family was taken back and scared for you, but it in no way means that their reaction was anywhere near ok. It was awful. Sometimes ignorance takes over. I am sorry that your family hurt you. Maybe talking to them later when emotions aren't so high might help, maybe they were just taken back and not sure what to say. It can make people say stupid crap. Please don't mistake what I am saying, they were wrong. Totally wrong and it may be up to you to teach them. Or tell them to shove it. Good luck.

Thanks, I dont take your response wrong at all. Most of my family already knew I was a cutter and they just keep it in their heads on the scars and say nothing... they just dont care really. Some of them just are too wrapped up in their own world to even notice. And some like that person who commented is I want to say not smart enough to just either ask and let me explain and her shut up keep it to her self...
Like when I was talking to my support friend she told me well you learned a lesson either hide the scars or be prepared to answer questions... That made me even more mad as I was thinking its not that I could not have answered questions, I am really open about my past in self harm. I am not trying to hide it from anyone, I did answer I just didnt go into why as she never asked why she asked what happened... And I told her me I am what happened I cut myself plain in simple... I didnt feel that I needed to go into detail about my life and why I did it, she never asked.
My friend has never cut so I didnt get pissed I was just upset and was trying to explain then I asked the dumbest question of did you notice my scars when we went to the river... She told me no where they showing? The where and nothing was commented on them... nor by her friend that came with her. At the end of out conversation she said its my choice to cut or not cut.. and I was going to go into never tell someone that self harm that, they rather cut if people where ok with it... But I just went leave it alone.... I will tell her another day just in case she tells that to someone else... she does not support cutting she just wants to say its my choice... I get that but she does not understand it...
So I needed the understanding from people like me that know... I also had to ask some of my family members that did know I cut if they noticed and they said yes but who cares, others nope..

Really I am going to get wearing shorts I had to hide for years due to cuts scars are scars... And well maybe some sun will help them fade like my arm scars. Most people dont comment like what she did... I have never before hear someone act like that other then bullies in school that again where not smart... People just normally are too busy or they are not looking, or they are smart enough not to say anything, or if they comment they ask.. or you get the odd person that did or does self harm that will notice as they look we just cant help it, we want to see more people like us and we have it in our heads everyone is looking for our scars... only really most dont even notice or they dont care to comment. I have gone to stores, and out walking and talking to people after that to see if I would get more comments I was freaking in my head, but I got nothing, which made me so much more happier that I can wear what I want and not have to stress on covering... But I know there are some stupid people that might judge but really they dont matter. Only the people that care about me and are there for me and people I want in my life matter and they are not going to be wanted if they are making comments that hurt me.. so really thats how I am going to look at it from now on.
Thank you everyone. :) that helped a lot knowing I am not alone and people get what I am saying. :)