Self harm- disclosing to GP

[Pandaslothmum]

I am due to see my GP this week to review my dosage of sertraline. I have been self harming for the last few months. I did it on and off as a teen but started again recently. I'm really struggling with a few things that have been happening lately. Has anyone got experience of disclosing self harm as an adult with kids? If I am honest, what are the chances of my GP involving social services? Or is that highly unlikely? My kids have no idea about self harm, and nothing I've done puts them in danger.

Hello. Apologies for hopping on your thread, but I've also had a few episodes of SH recently and was wondering about this too. Sorry you've been feeling bad. I hope another poster comes along with experience of how a GP responds.

Has anyone got any words of advice? 3 hours until my appointment and I've barely slept all night

Be honest.

I was making myself sick as a form of self harm. I was 29, married with a child when I told the doctors and was finally put on sertraline and given support.

Just remember that they will have seen and dealt with worse and you're showing willingness to get better just by going to see them.

Good luck.

It's also okay to cry and be vulnerable.

Re: Social Services. The question in the GPs mind will have to be: is there a risk to the children and if there is, how serious a risk is it?

Doesn't sound like there is.

(Most people would be horrified if they knew what the thresholds for SS intervention actually are)

There's a small possibility you might be offered Early Help, if there's a lot of stress at home and they might be able to help. Early Help is entirely voluntary, you can decline.

I think it would look worse if you didn’t tell them, and it was found out.
SS are very busy with safeguarding concerns, and are massively under resourced, and you say your kids aren’t at risk, so I really wouldn’t worry.

In the event it didn't come up today, but my word, she was so lovely. So supportive and understanding. For now she's increased my sertraline dose and made me another appointment with her for two weeks. I already have access to a counsellor at the local carers centre, and am due to see them next week, which the gp was happy with.