So irritating, why??? (just a little rant)

HideousKinky · 28-01-2008, 11:08 PM

Ok, so i knew i would have to learn to live with a fair amount of SI talk and behaviour on this course (im training to be a mental health nurse) and i have managed pretty well so far. I haven't got into any heated discussions with lecturers/staff members/other students about their totally ignorant views of self harm. One thing i cannot stand however is that when anyone is talking about self harm they seem to automatically make this cutting gesture along the inside of their forearm to demonstrate exactly what they are talking about. Like for example the guest lecturer i had the other day who went on and on about self harm and he said something along the lines of 'when that person is cutting and cutting themselves (all the while running his finger in lines over his wrist just in case we didnt get the point) its just awful and you know there must be something seriously wrong in their head'

what a ****ing idiot. I managed to keep quiet but i really just needed to let off some steam about it. Also im really pissed off cause for some reason the library computers now wont let me use chat, and i wont be able to afford a new computer for at least 6 months :(

dommy.x

Bitter_Angel · 28-01-2008, 11:45 PM

People who have no experince of self harm just can not understand it. In their defence, it is sub conscious an they probably dont realise there doing it. However that dosnt make it right. Bring it up with your tutor.

I must say, I had a mental health nurse the other day askin me all sorts of questions about self harm an what drives it an such. She said they didnt do much about it when she was training and what they did learn was basics of make the person safe blah blah ect. Not the hows or whys. So my advice, if you feel upto it, speak out. Because those lecturing probably hve no idea at all.

Good luck with the course though

Kangaroo · 28-01-2008, 11:50 PM

I would say that you need to speak out about your experience of mental health issues and self harm. The reason why so many people are ignorant if because mental health is a taboo and few people tal about it openly. Talk to other students and tutors. You might be pleasently suprised at their reactions.

HideousKinky · 29-01-2008, 12:09 AM

thing is, all my lecturers and tutors etc are registered mental health nurses and have all worked with self harmers in one aspect or another so its not even that they are ignorant, they just think they know about it. I would bring it up but im not sure i could stand to have an in depth discussion on it without giving something away about my own experiences and that is something i am determined not to do. Nobody here knows anything about stuff ive done in the past and i really want to keep it that way!!

xx

sparklyshoes · 29-01-2008, 02:06 AM

I've just started the training myself. You are gonna have to get used to this sort of thing, you are gonna come into contact with all sorts of people with all sorts of prejudices and stereotypes of what they think is right. Ok about the self harm thing, I cring everytime somebody says about it but part of being on this course is being able to take a step back, look at your opinions and be able to take into account that other persons opinion no matter how wrong you think that is, that is what they believe. The first assignment we have been given is suicide prevention, my grandad commited suicide and while being faced with someone saying "I just don't know how they can do it, its selfish, its this its that" and you just HAVE TO TAKE A STEP BACK. They are not doing it on purpose to wind you up. Take it with a pinch of salt. Voice your opinions but don't be so defensive and aggresive about it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and everyone is on a learning curve the same as you are, its like your not gonna know all about liver failure this early on. Hold your horses, calm down and just chill a bit xx

blondiebear · 30-01-2008, 02:01 AM

Hmmm...I've been known to read stuff that related to a class I was taking but not assigned by the instructor. If you haven't read a book about SI, maybe you could. There are a couple that are decent. Then talk to your classmates or tutor about what you've read?

If you continue to pay attention as you attend lectures, perhaps you'll get insight into misconceptions about SI?
If you step back and act instead of react, you might be more effective.

HideousKinky · 31-01-2008, 06:39 PM

oh dont get me wrong, i dont let any of this wind me up too much. Ive been training for a year and a half so far and this is the only real time ive been annoyed. Mostly I actually just sit and smile smugly to myself thinking 'god if only you had any clue' when someone says something really stupid about self harm. It was just that we had a lecture from one guy who said his special interest was self harm in asian women and he was so arrogant about all of his experience and stuff yet his views were totally ignorant and it just really pissed me off!!

Anyway im done ranting, I dont tend to discuss anything to do with self harm in the lectures purely because its such a contentious issue and I dont want to sound like I know more than i should - dont want to arouse any suspicions!!

Dommie.x

HideousKinky · 01-02-2008, 06:30 PM

You make a good point raineh but I do not trust myself to have an open discussion about it as i have no idea whether or not i will get overly angry or upset. Plus there is no reason as to why they should think my opinion to be any more valid than the next person so I will just try to take advantage of my position and ability to help those im working with on a personal level rather than try to change the opinions of an entire group of students.