7Aug/112
How do doctors react when a patient tells them that they cut themselves?
I'm not sure if anyone will have an answer for this but I was wondering how doctors react to hearing that their patient cuts themselves? I ask because I'm considering telling my doctor and I was just trying to see what type of reaction I could expect. Does anyone have any person experience with this that they would be willing to share? It would be greatly appreciated.
Also for anyone who's told their parents, how do they react too?
August 7th, 2011 - 01:33
Firstly, they are not legally obligated to send you to a psychiatrist or hospital unless you are severely injured or you have told them that you are actively suicidal and are currently a significant risk to yourself. You can bring up the subject of your self harm slowly, start by maybe saying you haven’t been feeling happy lately or that you’ve been feeling depressed, they’ll ask you some questions and once you feel a bit more comfortable you can mention that you’ve been self harming to deal with how you’ve been feeling. They will most likely ask to see simply to assess if you need medical treatment for any new injuries. They will ask you some more questions like how it makes you feel when you cut, what do you use, how often do you do it. If they feel it is necessary they may refer you to a therapist, counsellor, psychologist or psychiatrist because they are familiar with these problems and are more experienced in treating them. About telling your parents, well people seem to get very different reactions that are based pretty much on their parents personalities and views on mental health. When you do tell them, consider having some information ready like a website they could check out and maybe a friend who knows to back you up. Leaving a letter is good because it gives them time to process the information and think about it a bit before they talk to you.
August 7th, 2011 - 01:33
they are legally obligated to call psychiatric hospitals and send you there.
your parents will blame themselves and be upset but i really suggest you be open with them it’ll help assure them you see them as someone you can confide in.
i’d like you to tell somebody though because getting the help you need now to over come whatever you’re going through will be better for you in the long-run.
good luck.