Number of stitches

Ranger Fairy · 06-01-2009, 10:24 PM

I know that numbers i.e weight, BMI, and calories are currently banned on this site for reasons of triggering others, which I agree with. However I have read the rules and see no mention of number of stitches or number of self harm incidents, which I believe is equally triggering to someone who self harms as BMI, numbers, weight and calories is to a person with an ED.

Are they banned, and if not, why? I would personally find numbers of stitches the most triggering thing ever, short of pictures, and would like to know where the rules stand on this issue.

Thanks,

Frankie xx

Duffer44 · 06-01-2009, 10:27 PM

As far as i'm aware they are banned as it can be taken as bragging about SI and encouraging it, so i believe it is banned

06-01-2009, 10:33 PM

Eh, I'm going to sound like a hypocrite here afterwhat I think about ED stuff, but, differentiating self harm from eds, I would agree with you to some extent. I find the number of stitches triggering and the numer of cuts. This is my fault, and it is something I'm workingon in therapy, butif a substantial number of people find it triggering too (I thought I was the only one) and it is something that sort of borders on boasting, I dunno this is a ramble, but I don't think it should be relevant on public posts how many stitches you got or how many cuts you made (burns/bruises etc). I think it is perfectly relevant that you got stitches, or even that you had more than one cutting session but not that you have say 300 cuts and 30 stitches. I know it's something people competed on in hospital and such. I think it is something people use to try and put proof (which isn't needed) on how much they're hurting. I dunno, what I would suggest we have instead, which I've nicked from another support site I can't remember which one as I dont' frequent them regularly, but maybe we could have a rule like if you want to put "I got 30 stitches" you instead put "I got 100000 stitches" and it's clear on the forums that this isn't literal (although I doubt anyone would take 100000 to be real), but a metaphor to describe that YES someone got stitches and YES it's really important to them and YES they're really hurting. Does that make any sense?

Good thread Frankie :)

Animad · 06-01-2009, 10:37 PM

In the First Aid Advice board if someone posts with the number of stitches the number will be removed by an FAA (/mod). I don't know about the other boards but in doubt post report any and see the feedback that the mods give/ if they edit the number out.

Ranger Fairy · 06-01-2009, 10:47 PM

I don't see why you'd need the say the actual number when that means you've already had treatment anyway. I agree with saying you've had or think you need (in a first aid point of view) stitches but not an actual number as personally I would it triggering and competive.

Frankiex

surprising mystery · 06-01-2009, 10:52 PM

It means no more to have had more stitches, unless you want to compare and compete, this is why I dont think number of stitches should be specified on advice boards.

And, as said, in the FAA its not needed because if you have had stitches, its already been treated.

*pokes a mod for clarification*

Casper_Fading · 06-01-2009, 10:54 PM

I'm pretty sure it's banned *nods* I know that it gets removed if someone puts it in!

Heidi Tiger · 06-01-2009, 11:03 PM

mmm I know its banned.
But personally I think at least saying oyu had stitches should be allowed. Or steristrips (edited) But if I had to go get stitches, I know sometimes I need to say that, as the whole hospital experience and the getting stitches is very scary and means my self harm is at least minorly significant. So I sort of need to say that, becuse its different to if I just cut, which involves much less emotions. If it was bad enough to need stitches for me it involved more emotions when the cutting was taken place and then the traumatic experience of getting the stitches, so I would like to be able to talk about it

surprising mystery · 06-01-2009, 11:06 PM

^ agreed in that the experiance of hospital and poking is something many people would want to talk about, and you can only really explain that by saying you had to attend a and e or whatever. *nods*

Casper_Fading · 06-01-2009, 11:09 PM

I think you're allowed to say, "i got stitches" you just can't say how many. I know I always use to get triggered when people would put "I got 36 stitches this time". I don't see the point of saying how many.

06-01-2009, 11:14 PM

Aye, sorry if I wasn't clear in my post, I do agree it's important to talk about stitches and say you've had them etc in every sense, just not so keen on the number of stitches being mentioned.

surprising mystery · 06-01-2009, 11:25 PM

Now that the fact they aint allowd has been established, why isnt there a mention of this in the rules, cos its quite a prominant issue for a self harm site not to clarify.

Casper_Fading · 06-01-2009, 11:27 PM

I didn't know it wasn't lol. *pokes mod to this thread*

Aidee · 07-01-2009, 04:54 AM

The FAAs will need, on occasion, to know how many stitches someone has received. But that is something that can be done via PM and not via the forums.

It is in he rules, it's just not explained specifically. Sharing the number of wounds, stitches etc that you've SIed is considered "glamorizing" SI, which is against the rules.

teenytineytori · 07-01-2009, 05:10 AM

i think the way the actual rules are worded allows for a little more control on the part of the moderators to keep this s site for support. The phrase "glamorizing" allows for some interpretation on the part of the moederators and allows for action if they are PM'ed about something that is triggering for a group people. I think that having it general is a good thing.

Maybe a specific example of what is allowed concerning stitches such as has been done with the BMI as it has been pointed out this is something that should be fairly prominent on a self harm site.

Snow White. · 07-01-2009, 06:27 AM

I think we should change the rule to this:

Quote:

Please do not encourage self-harm in any way or express anything that could be taken as glamorising any form of self-harm. This includes discussing the number of stitches received, excess alcohol consumption and drug usage.

For example : "go cut yourself", "cutting is cool", "i got 32 stitches!" "let's all get pissed"

It's the first rule, so, easy enough for members to see & read.

Snow White. · 07-01-2009, 06:31 AM

Oh on that note I agree 100% that the number of stitches someone has got does not need to be mentioned in posts, as for all of your above reasons basically.

Casper_Fading · 07-01-2009, 08:12 AM

sounds good to m aims!!!!

surprising mystery · 07-01-2009, 11:21 AM

^ the example in the rules makes it a lot clearer. I would agree with that change :)

*thumbs up*

whirlpools · 07-01-2009, 07:26 PM

i like it too. i hate when people say how many stitches they've had. completely unnecessary. i used to write about number of stitches in my blog all the time, and it was a complete brag. not helpful at all.