| Help on telling family and friends. |
| Self-injury, cutting, self-mutilation. The words alone convey pain, fear and confusion. Now you're going to have to tell someone about this and you're scared. You're worried they'll misunderstand and take you to lightly or maybe panic and send you to a hospital. It's possible you've tried to tell this person several times, but they don't seem to get the subtle hints and you're worried about how to come right out and tell them what you've been doing. I hope I can help some with this page. Here are a few things that may help you. |
| *Assure them it's not their fault. *Tell them you love them and are not trying to hurt them. If they don't know what to do, that's ok. Tell them you understand that this is probably as hard for them as it is for you. *Understand it will be hard for them! *Don't tell someone while you're angry at them. Otherwise you may unitentionally use your SI to manipulate the person into doing what you want. *They will probably ask many questions. Be prepared for the Why, what, how, when and where questions. Also be prepared to show them some places you cut if they ask. However, I reccomend you don't show it to them unless they ask or say it's ok. *Offer to research stuff on SI with them so you can both learn about what it is and how to deal with it. *Do not use your SI to manipulate someone in any way. *Don't go into details about your cuts and stuff unless they ask. *Let them have time to think about it before you talk again. |
 |
| What to do when someone asks you |
| What you've been afraid of has finally happened. Someone notices your scars or wounds and asks how that happened. You don't want to lie, but you're afraid how someone will react when you say what it is. Here are some tactics you can take so you won't have to lie. |
| *Tell them it's a long story and you don't have time for it right now. *Say it's an embaressing story and you don't want to talk about it. |