topic changes

[EmptySoul]

hey so i was just wondering if any of you have any good ideas for ways to change the topic if somebody sees SH scars or cuts. I no eople say think of somehting quick, but my attemps fail miserably I just get a cmplete mind blank or tell them 'yeah they look like SH scars coz they are' (subtlety goes out the window for me when I'm put on the spot). This is incase i need any new exscuses coz i live Down under and its going to be a hot week and i'v been having strong urges to cut lately though i havnt for about 3 or so months. And yeah I no talk to osmeone it helos, do no this unfotunatley the onlly person who truelly understads lives on the otherside of hte ocundtry and she is the only one whose hugs and just resence is calming enough.
so thanxs for any ideas and other advice :) much appreicated

[Mynick]

I just say, i fell down or some cat did them, then i laugh and it's pretty much it.
Try to be subtle, that's key.

[ksdnfkfr]

All I can think of is to keep rehearsing an explanation.
As Mynick suggested, "the cat did it" is a classic. I live
in the desert where there a lot of big scratchy thorny
bushes that I actually get scraped on anyways sometimes
so I can use that excuse. It is probably easier for boys
since we are always doing rough stuff. Also wearing
an elastic athletic wrap bandage is a good cover.
The best cover needless to say is not to cut. Try taking
it day by day and say, "I am not going to today. Maybe
tomorrow, but not today". Best to you.

[Katiya]

I always say something funny or absurd lol.

Like 'You know these been here sense I took over this body, ...humans." Or "Dont to go over board on S&M with your boyfriend, trust me...." Or "It was a terrible accident,...damn raccoons in the attic again!"

Hehe! Because after all its pretty obvious they are sh scars so why not have some fun with people! :)

[LunaHermione]

Got in a fight with Captain Hook, maybe? :P

But in all seriousness I don't think there's much you could do or say to make someone believe they're not self harm scars. I'm like you, my mind just goes blank if anyone asks about my scars. I can remember once in school I had fresh cuts on my arm and I had my elbow on the table and my jumper slid down a little bit but I didn't realise until one of me best friends grabbed my arm and started pulling it towards her asking 'what's that?' and I just shot my hand back, pulled my sleeve down and just went blank aha. I couldn't think of any lie at all. I just mumbled 'nothing' and looked away, I made it so damn obvious haha. She was really supportive though so it all worked out. All my best friends were, I guess I was pretty lucky they didn't just think I was a freak and freeze me out.

Maybe talking about it with someone would help. I know you said that you think only one person truly cares and they live on the other side of the country, but you never know, your friends who live near you could be really supportive.

The only other thing you could do is get good make up that would cover the scars.

Good luck with everything :)

[Castle of Glass]

the few times i do cut my arms, i say i got snagged by a bush or thorns while mountian biking. so take what you normally do, and use that. like i have covered cuts before my saying i walked into a thorn bush

[Desuetude]

Laughing and changing the subject QUICKLY is always a safe way to go. That way you won't get mixed up with explainations and in most cases they'll just leave you alone realising that you're not comfortable talking about it - or maybe they won't be smart enough to even put two and two together. You'd be surprised how little people notice your scars. I have pretty bad scars on my arm (my burn scars are about an inch by an inch and a half thick) and I have to wear short sleeves for PE, no one even notices them. We're more paranoid than we should be, if you don't make a scene about it and just keep them covered/out the way, no one should notice. :)

[mermaidfairy]

You can always say that you got it tangled in thorns, or on a movie I watched once, her excuse was that she was ice skating and got it tangled on another skater's skates. I also sometimes say that I had a rash and was scratching it. But, I agree about laughing and trying to find another topic to talk about, but also try not to go to extremes to hide anything or make yourself look suspicious and maybe nobody will even notice.

Of course, it is a good idea to have a support system when going through something such as self harm, so one of these days, maybe you can be honest with someone you trust about the self harm. They can really help you through rough patches!