Self-Injury Support Group

Whether you or someone you know or love struggles with self-injury, this is the community to discuss your experience, find support, meet others going through the same, and get advice on how to stop. Working together, we can help find alternative coping skills to reduce the urge to self-harm.

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Physical

bowler08
bowler08
so, I haven't been to the doctor in about 2-3 years, and my mom is weird about me needing to have a doctor just in case, so she's trying to schedule me for an initial physical so that he can see me if I do get sick.

I guess my main worry is that I've got scars on my leg, but I haven't cut in about 5 months, so they aren't bright or scabbed. what are the odds that he'll notice them? if he does what will he do? if he asks me about them what should I say? I'm not ready to talk to anyone about my problems, even if it's what needs to happen, I haven't done it for 5 months so I think I'm doing fine without letting my friends and family know about it..
ganzm
ganzm
Well make sure your mom isn't in the office with you. If the doctor notices them just tell them that you had an issue with it before but you are working towards a healthier you.
They cannot say anything. Confidentiality. Just make sure there are no fresh cuts
bowler08
bowler08
Well, i'm not worried about my mom being in the room, because i'm in college, i'm just on her health insurance so she wants to decide the doctor I go to.

The one she chose is a doctor she used to work on the same floor as at the hospital, so it makes me worry that he'd be more willing to break the confidentiality.

I was kind of hoping to try saying they're stretch marks, I lost a pretty good amount of wait in the last year so I thought it might be believable, and even if he doesn't believe me he can't- make- me talk about it, right?
deleted_user
deleted_user
If he asks, I would just tell the truth. They can't make you talk about it, or force you into treatment. You may actually find it kind of relieving to finally tell someone about it. I know I did. He is also strictly bound to confidentiality, and would not tell your mother, so don't worry about that.

Also,I know therapy may seem really scary - it did for me - but it actually helps a lot to talk.

Good luck! :)
deleted_user
deleted_user
My doctor has seen my scars. She didn't really say much at all about them...just asked if I was still hurting myself. She knows I'm in treatment for severe depression/PTSD/OCD/childhood sexual abuse. I think they've all seen this type of thing before so your doctor won't be shocked by your scars. If he asks just be honest. He may encourage you to see a therapist, but ultimately, that's your choice. If you lie...he'll know you're lying. (My cutting scars look nothing like my stretch marks.)