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Mental health

Self harm fresh cuts how to hide

16 replies

cagey2 · 14/07/2015 20:32

Help please, my 'friend' has told my work supervisor I have self-harmed recently and now I have to meet supervisor for 'support, worried i"m going to get fired. I am a mental health nurse so really need to not be found out. Any tips please on how to get fresh cut on arm healed very quickly? No lectures please I'm getting therapy for it. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:

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Wolfiefan · 14/07/2015 20:34

No lectures at all. Can you speak to your therapist? Can they really fire you for mental health issues or is that just your fear?

MrsEvadneCake · 14/07/2015 20:42

Would it be covered with a plaster? The silver healing ones do speed it up a bit. I think the bigger issue is to find out what could happen. Look at your code of conduct or discipline policy. That way you'll know what the outcome of the meeting might be.

cagey2 · 14/07/2015 20:43

It's just a fear. I know that 80% of mental health professionals have their own histories of mental health problems but because this is a current problem of mine I worry they will think it's not appropriate for me to work with patients who also self-harm. Patients don't know as I cover my cuts. My therapist is amazing, non-NHS so is confidential. I'm seeing her tomorrow but don't know what practical help she can give re job situation. :(
Thank you for lack of lectures.

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cagey2 · 14/07/2015 20:45

Yes can cover it with plaster but big bruise. I told colleague I came off my bike when he saw it. What are the silver healing ones haven't seen those? Steri strips are useless. That's a really good point to look at conduct policy, thank you.

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andadietcoke · 14/07/2015 20:46

Tubi-grip for a sprained wrist was always my go to cover up. Carpal tunnel could explain away a longer term wrist support.

thingamajig · 14/07/2015 20:48

How long have you got? And how bad/where is the cut. Can you not just cover up as usual? If this is the first time you have been 'called in' for it, then it is very unlikely they will do anything except offer support/occ health appt. If you say you are getting help that should be fine.

cagey2 · 14/07/2015 20:52

Meeting next Wednesday so 1 week, cut is 2 cm across, 5 cm long on exterior forearm. Colleague already told supervisor I'm selfharming so if I cover it it will look suspicious. I want to go in saying, I have a history but it's not current. It was one really bad day when didn't have the right medication. I think it makes me more empathetic for the patients who do self-harm. I'm getting lots of help from GP as well.

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thingamajig · 14/07/2015 21:02

Honestly? There is no chance a cut that big will be healed enough in a week. You would be better off coming clean about a bad day than look as if you're minimising things
Say everything you have said here, it makes perfect sense.

cagey2 · 14/07/2015 21:05

Thank you that sounds sensible. I don't want them to think i'm not aware of the scale of the problem or that would make them nervous as employers I think. I know i must sound naive but never done it that badly before.

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outofdatecoleslaw · 14/07/2015 21:10

Wear a long sleeved top. They have no right to demand to see it. Your body is private.

That's some 'friend' you have there. What was their motivation? Genuine concern for you or interference?

Seek confidential advice from union to check what you have to disclose.

TwistedThinking · 14/07/2015 21:23

Cut that wide probably needs proper stitches, will be more obvious in the short term (long sleeves?) but will be much less visible in time

andadietcoke · 14/07/2015 21:27

They won't stitch it if it's more than 8 hours old due to a risk of infection. I'd imagine steri strips won't hold it either although I would try a criss-cross type approach. Probably worth getting it looked at by a nurse at your GP's though.

MrsEvadneCake · 14/07/2015 21:28

The plasters are available from the chemist. They are antibacterial and promote better healing.
I think if you just say you have support in place and what you said about the circumstances it happened in, then you are being as open as you can.

cagey2 · 14/07/2015 21:34

Thank you all, I really appreciate all your advice.

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Thisismyfirsttime · 14/07/2015 21:42

I am under the impression that you are within your rights to wear long sleeves and refuse to show them your arms. You would have to decide whether to lie or tell the truth about your sh but you don't have to show any actual injuries either way.

cuntycowfacemonkey · 14/07/2015 21:46

I agree that it would be better to wear long sleeves and be honest in the same way you have on here. I doubt very much they will try to insist on seeing your cuts.

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