TW self injury - pain in my arm (nerve pain?) - how do I ask for help?

[anondecember2021]

I've got a really bad habit of hitting my wrist with my phone when I'm anxious or stressed or angry, or having a panic attack or flashback, its currently black and blue .

I'm getting a shooting pain using my hand, like a nerve pain, goes from wrist into fingers.

I've never been given good mental health help (diagnosis of CPTSD, just keep being sent for more CBT and anti depressants) . So struggle to break the habit.

Is there anything I can do myself for it? I'm trying to avoid using it (left hand) and propping it up when its sore, but I really want to stop hurting myself and to get rid of the pain that's left . I'm worried if I go back to a GP they'll get on at me, GP when I was a teenager (so 10 years ago) said doctors don't like self harmers, its stupid/attention seeking nonsense and I'd be committed to a psychiatric hospital/barred from a good job if I ever told anyone . I know now that's not true but it sticks and stops me from asking for help .

So sorry your GP a decade ago had such an awful attitude. I wear one of these which helps amazingly for my arthritic wrist so I imagine it would really help your pain. It could also be a very visual deterrent to repeat self harm.

www.amazon.co.uk/Express-Orthopaedic%C2%AE-Medically-Fastenings-Arthritis/dp/B08Z8FYFB1/ref=asc_df_B08Z8FYFB1/?hvlocphy=9045255&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=499313703587&hvpone&hvlocint&hvpos&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&hvtargid=pla-1293296641135&hvrand=17158727349256323285

Please speak to your GP and ask for help for self harming, I hope you can manage to break the cycle.

A few different things to consider.

Your arm has been hit - that doesn’t stop you seeking medical advice. Say you slammed it in a door if you're worried about the truth.

Secondly is dealing with what is effectively self harm. You must have seen an absolute dinosaur of a GP to get that response. I'm sure you wouldn't get that now.

Have you tried less aggressive means of coping? Snapping a soft hair band on your arm instead of your phone?

@RedCarsGoFaster

A few different things to consider.

Your arm has been hit - that doesn’t stop you seeking medical advice. Say you slammed it in a door if you're worried about the truth.

Secondly is dealing with what is effectively self harm. You must have seen an absolute dinosaur of a GP to get that response. I'm sure you wouldn't get that now.

Have you tried less aggressive means of coping? Snapping a soft hair band on your arm instead of your phone?

Just to say that lying about the cause of an injury isn't helpful and healthcare professionals will see through it. It's best to be honest, and no you won't be refused care, and you certainly won't be in a psychiatric hospital or barred from work. Workplaces don't have access to your mental health records for one, and you wouldn't be "committed" anywhere for that.

You deserve help, proper help.

I’m sorry your GP years ago was no help. I self harm and have had to have treatment at A&E multiple times and the doctors have almost always been helpful and understanding. I’ve never been admitted to hospital even when I’ve required treatment several times within the same week, I was referred to the psychiatry team in the past but only as an outpatient and I have since been discharged although I still self harm. I am a teacher so holding down a professional job and my workplace are aware of the self harm, it hasn’t effected my career. Please don’t let the bad attitude of one GP a decade ago put you off getting help as in my experience that is far from the norm.