Hi sillyoldme,
I went to the doctor regarding SI about a year and a half ago.
The first appointment was fine, if a little uncomfortable. She was quite young (newly-qualified I should think), and seemed to have heard about it before. She asked me where I do it and why, and how often, and she asked to see my arm (which is pretty much the only place I do it). I felt like since I was there asking for help, I should show her even though I wasn't alltogether pleased about it, but I think if I'd really objected, it would have been ok to say no.
She wanted to refer me to a 'specialist' (i.e. psychiatrist) as my problems have been pretty long-lasting and there is no obvious reason for them. I don't know whether that would be true of someone who has, for example, only been self-harming for a while, or who has been doing it as a reaction to a specific event.
She gave me a questionnaire to fill in, and told me to make an appointment for a week later and bring it back to her.
So far, so ok, and I don't want to put you off going at all, but after that the 'patient care' got pretty shabby.
Basically, the next time I went, she was pretty dismissive, had forgotten that she had asked me to return with the form, and said I'd hear from the hospital within a few weeks. I never heard, and when I phoned the surgery, was told to phone the hospital. I did and was told they had no record of any referral for me. I told my surgery, and they said they'd sort it, but nothing happened, I never heard, and was put off going back and asking again.
Having said that, I genuinely think the problem was with an inept and inexperienced GP (she was definitely new to the practice) rather than this being a general problem throughout the NHS.
Absolutely go to your appointment, and don't worry about what they might think - they are usually pretty experienced in things like SI, and should be able to offer you help of some kind.
Hope this helps, best of luck with your appointment - let us know how it goes. hugs
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