Triggering (SI) - Honesty is the best policy?

[Scarred soul]

Hi All

I thought I would share a real life situation where I was honest about my self harm and was treated how you would expect to be treated. I have been applying for a drug and addictions volunteer role. I had the interview and was accepted onto the training scheme. I was honest about my drinking and said I was 13 months sober. The only trouble is I never said anything about my self harm which has been a chronic problem in the last few years with very deep and long cuts some needing 40 staples in one arm then I did the same to the other arm three days later. I woke up this morning and thought I am going to have to tell them and the sooner I do it the better. The only trouble was the feeling I had blown it and then came all the negative thinking and soon I was feeling like self harming, with the pressure building as the hours went passed. I finally just got an email saying thank you for your openess and honesty and it will not be a problem. Thank my lucky stars for that one. I am so relieved now and glad I did not harm. This proves in this case that honesty was the best policy! I am not mad! and have not been critically judged. I can work through problems without alcohol, self harm and smoking fags.
I would be interested to hear how other people have reacted to self harm. How do other people see the problem?
Thanks

[chocostashchick]

that's fantastic! it's sort of inspiring to know that at least some people dont have a huge bias or stereotypical view of people who SI and SH. i havent told anybody so i dont have any personal reactions, but one of my greatest fears is my work finding out because they have certainly fired people for less.

[Destinationzero]

That's awesome. I have yet to have the courage to tell someone at a place of work or something like that about my SI. I always seem to chicken out...and now that I am getting farther removed from that part of my life (1 1/2 years SI free) I am finding it less of a necessity.

I did, though, have to explain it to my boyfriend when we started dating and he did look a little hurt and confused but he understood. At that point I didn't know him very well and I didn't want to start something that would be torn apart by that. Other then that I have no really big great stories.

[Margo]

I think that many people think that SH is the illness when infact it is merely the symptom. Ive yet to meet a mad person that SH's. Im sure there are some. I would imagine they are the ones that wear chicken suits and listen to Celine Dion all day. But then im no doctor :P.

I am a firm believer that honesty will always win through no matter what the situation. Im proud of you! Well done!

Matthew

[abba12]

no one but my best friend, who also self harms, ever reacted well to me telling them. they see it as me being stupid, i could have stopped whenever i wanted according to them. except my boyfriend, he understands a bit better, but he always got very upset when i did it

im so glad telling them didnt turn out bad :)

Am proud of you
Glad things worked out
xx

[pea soup]

hi there....
im so happy for you!!!!
my only experience with work and SI was bad.
i was fired as they thought i "could be a danger" to my patients.
but that was about 3 years ago....i havent worked since.
im really glad this place is giving you this chance.
much love.
xx