Self-harm: interview with a doctor (GP)

TheSite.org talks with Dr Gemma Newman about what happens when you go and see your doctor (GP) about self-harm.
{{{ More info at http://thesite.org/selfharm }}}

Category:

Education

Tags:

• self-harm
• selfharm
• self harm
• gp
• doctor
• medic
• physician
• nhs
• self-injury
• mental health
• going to the doctors
• medical help
• going to hospital
• cutting myself
• cutting
• burning
• self harm help

[cdsmith1990]

My GP doesn't even make eye contact with me when I visit about self-harm, depression, suicidal thoughts, dropping out of university due to anxiety... Just prescribes generic anti-depressants and sends me on my way. Can't say he's done me much good, to be honest.

[TheSiteVideos]

@cdsmith1990 Thanks for your comments. Have you considered changing doctor? You are entitled to request another doctor from the PCT if you aren't satisfied with the service from the one you have. We have an article about this... Google, "TheSite.org GPs: the alternatives". Hope this helps.

Take care,

Chris @ TheSite.org

[alfredobolanos96]

this might be dumb but what is a GP?

[TheSiteVideos]

@alfredobolanos96 Hi Alfred, it stands for General Practitioner and is the UK term for a family doctor.

[flyingmonkeyelephant]

I'm 15 I went to my doctor about my SH and a whole list of other mental shit and I've been referred to a psychiatrist and a psychologist. It was my first time going into the doctors office on my own and she was great

I told her my mum doesn't know I SH and she has kept it between us

To any other younger people who are afraid to go, it's really not as scary as it seems, and try going to a younger doctor, sometimes they understand a bit more than older practitioners do, in my experience.

[TheSiteVideos]

@flyingmonkeyelephant Thanks loads for your wonderful & inspiring advice - it's great to hear you've spoken to your doctor and have received positive support from them. It's really helpful to hear this, so thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

All the best,

Chris @ TheSite.org

[newhope01]

my GP new nothing about self harm and made me feel worse cos he said he couldnt help and that i should JUST STOP like it was that easy. i think no matter what ppl say, u do get bad reactions. i get told cos my family and GP new and i was still self harming that its attention seeking. if i wanted to stop i would just do it. i hate ppl that do not understand and say stupid things.

[kirstyrand1]

this vid gave me the conifdance to see my gp, he was nice he refurd me to a pshothapist , i just want to say thank you to this video i now know i have high depression, he did ask me to see the cuts but i just plyed this video in my head .. thankyouu

[Aries25x]

whats the name of the song in the background

[677921]

Where is this? If you go to the hospital here and tell them you've harmed yourself. You wont be walking out that door anytime soon. No, you'd be strapped up and transported to the nearest ward. Where ever this is seems like they actually care.

[WesJanson10]

I don't get it at all. My first experience of someone I "trust" finding out was being hit and screamed at, and now when I say to someone "I self harm" it's like, 'okay, now what?"

"well... that's about it."

"really?"

"Wait, we could talk reasons?"

"Think of a reason, I've SI'd because of it"

"Oh, okay. Well, that really is it. See you later then"

[Timewillhealmyheart]

I went to my GP the other day. She looked at my cuts and kpet gasping and making comments like 'Gosh!' It made me feel even worse. Then she said I needed stitches for some of them but cause they're a couple of days old they'd statred healing upwards or somethind. She got a Nurse to put dressings on and clean them out cause some were infected. She was really nice tho! She's referred me of to CAHMS.