Questions about getting help... 10 points?

Can you only answer if you live in the UK or know about the NHS (National Health Service). Sorry...i just think it's different here than in America or somewhere.

Ok, well basically i've been self harming for years and have finally decided to get help.
I'm in the UK so am going to book an appointment with my GP (general practitioner) tomorrow.

What i'm wondering about is the effects having this on my medical records will have on other things (like insurance and jobs).

The reason i ask is because i don't want my parents to know about any of this. I'm 18 and still live at home and my parents also sort out everything to do with insurance so if there was some sort of impact on that they would wonder why.

So basically will having self harm on my medical records make insurance increase? Will this mean my parents will find out? Will I still beable to keep this from them once i've been to the GP? If i'm looking for a job will this make them less likely to take me?

Thanks

Dont worry! What happens with your Doctor is confidential, and even if you require hospital treatment because of the self-harming, I am sure that it cannot be used against you later in life by employers, insurance, etc. That is my understanding anyway. I work in mental health and am recovering from anorexia - which puts me in a similar position to yourself in worrying what people might "see" either physically or on notes somewhere. I still see a psychiatrist, and though this is not relevant to my employer, I feel i can discuss issues with my boss (most people still might not feel comfortable doing this - it is a personal choice) The bottom line is that they dont have to know anything.
Here in the UK (I'm from Scotland), employers are breaking the law if they discriminate against anyone with a disability, and mental health and other conditions are also covered by the Disability Discrimination Act. Even if it was something that could interfere with your work - ie - needing to do more flexible working in order to attend appointments, they have to make reasonable adjustments.
Also, a lot of work places now have a mental well-being policy or take part in additional initiatives such as Healthy Working Lives.
Hope that helps, but dont worry and dont let your fears put you off getting help now xx

Thats a toughy, really sorry,

2 things, i'm not sure how open medical records are
There are non NHS related groups, search online or try smartons, good luck, hope this helps at all

ok so i live in america. and ive been there i was a burner not a cutter, i know here all medical records are 100% confidential and when it comes to insurance papers they tend to use technical terms and codes so chances are if your parents do see the paper work they wont know what it is. but its good that your getting help and you really do need it. and in my advice tell your parents. because i know just as well as you your not hurting your self because its a phase its cool or what ever. your doing it because it feels better then how you mentally feel or you maybe at the point that hurting your self is the only way you can feel. its kind of like your trying to cut it out what ever is bothering what ever started it. and you really do need your parents support. why because there always gonna be there no matter what. and even though you may want to and you think you can you cant do it alone, they may even have to watch you and check you to make sure your not hurting your self to make youdeal with you emotions. because you wont or may not be able to yet even though you want help. think about this you can do almost any thing alone but you cant give your self cpr.

I think you should say something to your parent. Its not something a dr can fix in an appoint. (take this and lie down?!)

Cutting requires a support team. A team who will pick you up and help you cross the finish line. You need to tell your parents, talk to a psychologist etc.

It will be hard, but it has to happen. I mean you really think that they will never find out? That the cutting will stop in 1-3 Dr visits? Cmon...

Im pulling for you and your smart enough to do the right thing. Now just complete the job and speak up your parents.... You will eventually need there help anyways with bills etc...