Should We Hide Our Self Harm Scars?

[@azaadamber2046]

I'm a mathematics student and have self harm scars too...thank you for this vdeo... And 1.5 years of free self harm now.

[@bisqwett9374]

Eh im 30minutes clean

[@bollyRAINBOW14]

I decided a few years ago that I wasn't going to restrict what I wear/do to prevent people from seeing my scars. Very very occasionally, people ask what they are. I always feel a little bit anxious when that question arises and my stomach drops but I've never tried to hide the truth. They're there and always will be but that doesn't mean that I have to let them affect my life. Like you said, it's part of my body.

[@sav603]

what do you say when they ask

[@bollyRAINBOW14]

@@sav603 I say that I was unwell for a while and they’re from that time. Sometimes people will go on to ask if I did it to myself and I say yes.

[@nikkimae813]

I always follow my chemical romances rule. "I'm not ashamed, I'm going to show my scars" and for anyone who asks apart from children of course, I tell them I'm not proud but I'm also not ashamed xx

[@socialstudent1236]

Everyone on here is talking about being clean for so long, I’m so happy for you all! Unfortunately I still self harm but I am trying to stop. But well done all of you!

[@elliot2803]

me too, but I wish you luck, Im so proud of you, let me know if you need someone to talk to

[@amtvlogs7231]

your going to get through this eventually. it comes in waves like i was almost 8 months clean. i feel like we build up so much pressure on ourselves not to that it just makes us do it more and then we just hate ourselves even more. like it’s an addiction. and there is going to be an end of that mental pain. maybe not for very long maybe like a little break idfk i get like randomly really happy for a few months and tjem really sad idk like modivation kinda. idfk what im saying anymore but i believe in you guys and if you relapse, it happens. don’t be too hard on yourself. idk if this helped.

[@saltysaladt3951]

I really hope that you're alright right now :)

[@annabeltriggs4138]

I agree with being worried about triggering other people. Also Im scared that by showing my scars people think I am attention seeking.

[@thesilverdonkeyreads]

Great topic! Another point I would add is that sometimes it can be empowering seeing people accept their scars. Seeing some else being confident with their body despite scars helps me feel like I can do the same! It also shows people who might be struggling that you can overcome self harm and that they're not alone. However I have also been triggered by seeing fresh self harm wounds, but personally scars don't bother me too much.

[@eloiseterrier]

you are so brave to talk about your experiences about self-harm! I also decided to show my scars cause it's 30 ° !

[@carahugel5073]

a rebuttal to your counter argument is that it personally is comforting in a sense to see others scars as i am able to recognize that i am not alone in my struggle and that things will get better. so no, i don’t think we should have to cover our scars as it may also help others

[@elisesimone613]

cara hugel but it can be triggering for others. It’s a hard subject tbh.

[@Mischicoo]

It is possible that it could be triggering, but for me and others it could ask help A LOT. Honestly I think it’s just your decision because you can never gage how others will react to what you wear or show.

[@loopunderground]

april this year marked my first year free of self-harm, and looking now i know i've been very fortunate in that my scars aren't particularly obvious, they're all over my body but they've faded a fair bit and you would only really notice them if you're looking for them i think its a fine line, seeing others scars doesn't bother me so much but seeing fresh cuts always messes with my head a little. i think it depends how many too, like if its a few its not too bad, if its all the way up someones arm or thigh or whatnot, i've found that quite triggering before. personally, given the upcoming weather, i think its a lot safer if people have their scars out if it means they're not gonna overheat, as potentially triggering as it might be for others, people shouldn't have to feel ashamed of their scars, and if they're fresh having them open to the air probably does them better than being constricted by layers of clothing when its hot out it is a tricky one, but i have a somewhat similar issue with my seemingly random triggers for ptsd, someone mentioned a tv show once and that set me off, but i feel like it would be unfair to ask them to never mention it, since sometimes it might be okay and sometimes not. you'll never be able to know what's going to be triggering to others, and you can do things about it if you're close and you know it will come up in future, but if you're going for a walk on a summers day there's no way of knowing if your scars will trigger anyone, so i think all you can do is do what makes you comfortable, because ultimately you have to look out for yourself, if that makes sense

[@TheKingBeth]

definitely with you on that, look out for number one! and congrats on making it to a year 💕

[@sophbilliex2232]

I was so so so self conscious of my scars, I could see them completely clear and I would never wear things that allowed people to see them. It wasn't until I got so far into recovery with my body dysmorphia that I saw my body for what it is and that, my scars aren't as obvious as my brain made them out to be. Now I wear clothes or do whatever and I don't restrict myself at all. It's so very freeing and I'm so happy I've done this!

[@rosieannie7323]

When I self harmed I used to bruise myself as well. When I had pe we had to wear these disgustingly short skorts and one girl said that I didn't self harm properly because the cuts weren't deep enough. I'm very lucky in that my skin take a LOT to scar and they have all faded but the bruises were the worst because no one could really tell how much they hurt and I would uconciously prod them during the day.

[@followtheflorence]

Your voice is so relaxing and calming💛 It is still hard for me to see my arms sometimes. You are really brave and a wonderful strong person for sharing this video. Thank you for giving us a voice.💞 I am one year self harm free💖

[@TwinkleKittyKat]

I'm so so proud of you Beth!! I've followed you on twitter for like 5/6 years I think? I'm so proud of you for talking about this and it's so nice to hear someone talking about how well they are doing and it's so inspiring!!

[@hurrweasel932]

Hey! I probably come really late but uhm.. I just wanted to say that you are doing the right thing. I've never seen someone with SH scars before but if i would do, it would just give me hope to be more comfortable with it :c edit: and yes!!! i do agree with you soo so much!!! that is also the biggest reason why I don't wan't to do it :c

[@babyjt0315]

Glad I stumbled upon your channel. I find you very interesting and calming to watch. Like chatting with a friend. :)

[@sad-sc6ut204]

1 hour clean

[@tybargky3554]

You are brave and amazing. Thank you for giving me the confidence to tell anyone who judge me about my decisions that I’ve made at 14 years old and I’m now 23

[@longangrysausage3495]

I used to say a cat scratched me :D👍 but I cant say that anymore. Shit

[@itsnotabaddick4282]

I'm through the first 4 months of recovery and have decided to stop hiding my scars. I do get questions and weird looks, but I'm not going to hide them. They're a part of me and hiding it doesn't feel right.

[@tori8229]

This is REALLY late but you are a lovely person. I hope you have a relaxing, happy life ❤️

[@AnomalousChloe]

This is incredible! What an amazing achievement! I love how eloquently you talk about these issues ❤

[@aubreyedwards7890]

Yesterday I was walking through my school hallways in a pair of shorts that went just past the tip of my middle finger. My teacher walked past me and looked over my whole body. Then he told me “don’t wear shorts”. I have scars on my legs that are pretty prominent and am normally not comfortable wearing shorts, but since it was about 95 degrees and all my friends were as well, I decided to. What he said really hurt me and I don’t know how to get over it. I tried talking to him and his response was that they were “too short” and he wouldn’t even let me get out that I knew he was talking about my scars. Any suggestions?

[@twentyoneheathens3922]

I still have thoughts of self harming and i have my scars out in the open no one notices, there are some people who know i used to cut but they don't really care i have had fresh cuts on my arm and no one notices, my sister knows i cut/used to cut (i would cut then stop for a long time but something would trigger me and i would cut again this is on and off) but she doesn't tell me anything about it. I finally had the guts to tell my mom i have depression,she knows i have anxiety but tries to force me to do the things i hate to do like ordering something i like to take baby steps im working my way up but my mom and her boyfriend try to force me to do those things basically i just feel like my family cares but doesn't care enough

[@tybargky3554]

We are so relatable in soo may ways, we both love math and have a passed of scars that’s marked as who we are. You are amazing and I love your accent ❤️ I’m an aerospace engineering and math minor student :)

[@nihargandhi9185]

7:00 nor do i care about those peoples but i care about those people who care about me who might get worried about me looking at my scars and that is the main reason i want to hide it

[@chongjiahui3585]

I am still self harming I feel very insecure

[@ShaggyNorvilleRogers]

my opinion is no. Asking people to hide their scars is a disgusting thing to do.

[@Billybloop]

It's probably not something you are thinking about now but I just want to warn British women of this because most of us want to be a mother someday. If you have self harm scars I wouldn't recommend ever having antenatal care or giving birth under the NHS in the UK. I was treated very badly because of it and professionals made me feel like a criminal and a danger to my own child. I had my youngest child in a private hospital for £1,000 in Eastern Europe and no such issue came up.

[@anon6056]

Thank you

[@ipassedtheturingtest1396]

This summer will be my first one with scars on my arm instead of in more hidden places only, and as of yet I haven't worn short sleaves (except once for my graduation). I'm really afraid of doing so because nobody except my best friend knows about my scars. I don't think I'd care this much about showing them in public; what really pains me is the thought of my family and friends seeing them.

[@racheladams6000]

I am only a couple months free from it and some of my oldest scars are still very visible on my legs, I am to scared to wear a normal swimming suit out of fear of what people would think and of my parents seeing them. Summer is the hardest months for clothing choices but I’m slowly getting better, I still wear shorts in the summer, but for swimming I also wear swim shorts

[@maddyoliver1642]

If someone I don't know asks me what they are, I respond with "atleast buy me dinner first!" There have been quite a few nosy people and telling them off in a jokey way is kinda my way of dealing with it lol

[@TheKingBeth]

I love that hahaha

[@minas9393]

Lovely video. Quick question: what do you want to work as after you finish your degree?

[@nobutigotcheesewiz9250]

Ok so I have school Monday (it’s Saturday) and my mom have a fall out boy tee shirt but I don’t want to have to wear a jacket what do I do Lots of scars

[@caitlinhalliday1154]

Your scars are a part of you you shouldn't have to or want to cover them if people have an issue ignore them they're probs just mad that they don't look as good as you do.

[@stravingdeez3354]

I'm only 10 and I sh :(

[@moonfairygf]

Hope things get better for you! I am so proud of you

[@tybargky3554]

Do you have a LinkedIn account??

[@amandataylor4215]

If somebody asks what your scars are, what exactly do you say to that? I have scars and im thinking about starting to not cover them up and i feel like i need to have a plain if somebody asks

[@amandataylor4215]

Also i really understand when you said that when you were self harming and saw other peoples cuts/scars, you wanted to hurt yourself to prove that you are in more pain than them. I relapsed recently and i think like that a lot. The subject of self harm came up with my friends and two of them have scars and it really mad me want to hurt myself to prove that im in worse condition than them which is awful. Thats why i hate it when people see cuts/scars and say "thats doesnt look too bad" because it makes me want to cut even worse

[@charleyhull1209]

I feel you for being so close but not quite at a first, so frustrating! Sending best wishes your way for your exams! I hope you get that pesky first! :)

[@TheKingBeth]

thank you so much charley

[@jayjayf9699]

Are u still on sertraline?

[@TheKingBeth]

yes!

[@astronershelloyeah8787]

neva

[@Sealtiel306]

I self harm because something recommended in my KZbin pops up about self harm videos that's why I'm the same now like them. Ughhhhh the worst things happens in life. I think I tried it because i want to be the same like them. Self harmers. My bad. Now I'm regretting it. And that's funny because I'm guilty for my wrong doings in life

[@ishouldbesleeping1354]

Yes. Put some clothes on

[@hannahfox5422]

Gloria Newton It's the height of summer, I'm going to be wearing short sleeves and if that means showing some of my healed scars then so be it.

[@caitlinhalliday1154]

Oh hell no I'm not afraid for people to see my scars it took long enough for them to stay scars I have fought a battle you would never understand.

[@Billybloop]

How about you hurry up and pop your clogs? Miserable old bat.