Self injury scars on arms and patient questions. - page 3

I only have vision in one eye and to many people its quite visible. However, my job has nothing to do with my monocular vision. I choose not to answer questions at all - I just change the subject.

At work, the care is not about ME. If folks are persistent, then I redirect them with a "lets focus on YOU" and my pts are more than willing to talk about themselves.

I would simply tell them that "it is personal" or maybe "it's a very long story"... Hopefully they take the hint and do not probe any more.

I have the same problem, and questions from the general public have prepared me for it all. I just say "I was sad as a teenager and took it out on myself". If they probe further I say "it was the in the past and makes me feel uncomfortable to talk about it as I regret it now."
I do not wish to shock people or make them feel uncomfortable, and most people get the gist pretty quickly.
For me, I think it has limited my job opportunities as working on a ward such as a teenage mental health ward could lead to some awkward questions. So that is something you may want to think about. Some teens, especially ones with personality disorder, may view those things as "cool" or a competition.
You do have the option, legally, to wear long sleeves for religious or cultural reasons. This may be an option you may wish to take if you state to your employer it is for those reasons.

I got attacked by a bear

I saved an infant from a rabid pit bull

During my last job at the butcher, my arm was caught in the meat grinder


Nicer ways to say its none of your business

I think it says a lot that in spite of our struggles we're there in the first place. That shows great strength (speakin' for myself lol) - So dealing with these situations can come from within as well. We can trust ourselves to know what to say with whom I think. Sometimes I have said and sometimes I've just veered away from the subject. It took a while and some therapy to get un-self conscious about the scars and I think it'll be the same for you. xo