Wondering about self injury

Question

if a person self injures, and go to a doctor or who ever they would. Would the person they see take in account the type of injury?

For example if some scratched themselves with their nail or just grazed would they be treated differently to someone who, i don't know, cut of their finger?

would type of injury be treated differently? and how so?

Answer 1

It all depends on the reasons behind the self infliction.  If it was on a dare/bet as opposed to actual harm then yes.  But otherwise if it was intentional to harm yourself then you would probably be evaluated by a pyschologist as to whether you need further help or not.

Answer 2

At the end of the day self harm is self harm and any type of pain caused to yourself on purpose is a form of this.

I feel as though alot of people do rate the seriousness of an individuals problems due to the severity of the harm however when im at my altimate lows i tend to harm myself not necessarily less but not always as bad.

So they may be treated differently however i dont think they should be and if they were/are then they need to say something. whether i attack myself with a razor or whether i give myself a paper cut, the intention to harm myself is the same...

Hope this helps and that if you are the one who is afraid of being treated differently then please do not let that stop you from telling anyone...

Give me an email if you want to talk...

Take care...

Xox...

Answer 3

I think cutting off ones' own finger would be treated more seriously and with much more immediate effect to someone who scratched themselves. All cases of self harm would be treated urgently but the person who cut off their own finger obviously poses a much larger threat to themselves in the short term and are obviously in the later stages of their mental illness or general self loathing.

Answer 4

People with a history of self-harm deliberately inflict injury upon themselves, for example, by cutting or burning themselves or taking an overdose.

Experts say the problem is more common than most people think and is linked to feelings of low self-esteem. Many people may hurt themselves secretly for some time before they ask for help, often because of fear and shame.  

Answer 5

I think generally the more seriously someone harms themselves (slashing their wrist as opposed to cutting their fringe) then the more harm they intend to cause themselves which would be treated more seriously.  

Answer 6

The very nature of different injuries would mean different treatments.  A scratch would just need cleaning, a cut could need stitching, a cut off finger would need surgical help.  If you mean would they be treated differently psychologically, it depends on whether the person revealed it was self injury (Self Harm) or not.  If they said it was an accident nothing will be done after the physical treatment, if they revealed it was SH - they might be asked if they wanted to talk to someone or not.  Self Harm is not attention seeking, it shows hidden emotional and/or psychological problems.

Answer 7

The injury would be treated as an injury if it needed stitches they would stitch it if not they would clean it up.

If someone went to the doctor because for help with self harm then they should be treated the same as anyone else. That is to get the treatment they need. The size or seriousness of an injury is not a reprsentation of the emotional problems that person is experiancing. The fact the person needs to turn to self harm is what would be treated. This might be with therapy or medication or both. The Important thing is they get the help they need and not to be discriminated against.