Hiding self harm scars in the locker room?

[mollygrace]

i have a gym class this semester. i normally would never talk about this, but i have self harm scars on my thighs. i have to change in the locker rooms, though. i'm already very self conscious of my body and this would be hard enough if i didn't have cuts, but now i need to worry about people seeing them. what should i do?
also, i know cutting is bad for me. i've been working on stopping. these are scars i've had for about a month, they're not new. please don't say that i should just stop, because the scars are still there.
plus, the school has said we can't change in the bathroom stalls.
i'm so stressed about this. thank you in advance.

[HP992]

Middle and high school are not generally going to be the place to look for understanding, but young people recently have become more understanding than I think we've ever seen in the past, so people may feel more empathy than you are imagining. As someone who went through the wringer with locker rooms my advice is to just change as nonchalantly as you can and keep it moving. After a while, though I know it was unhealthy of me, I just accepted that the locker room was going to be hit or miss while I hoped people wouldn't pay me any mind. But in 4 or 5 years nobody is going to remember or care what you looked like in the locker room, and the people who do remember will look back with a different perspective. Younger people can be cruel because of the lack of empathy in favor of social standing, but the rest of the world knows life can be tough, and we help each other out instead of tearing each other down. Talk to a counselor who is trained to help people your age with life, and take solace in the fact that real life isn't full of middle schoolers.

[BlackParrot]

Went through this ( shoulder, thighs and forearm ) .. own them : you sure have cut yourself at some poiny but you've overcome it so you're already past the worst. In addition to that it's not like they're going to disappear any soon ( well, it depends on how deep you used to cut ofc, but I still have mines on the thighs, that skin's too fucking tender ! ) so start considering them as a proof of strength on your part and let it be the first step toward recovery :)

If anyone makes fun of you remain calm, look them right in the eye and have a talk with 'em. I can guarantee you that, when it comes to that matter, people stop boasting when you're calmly responding to them.

Also, you're fourteen, if you have problems that led you to self mutilation seek medical help, or talk with your friends/relatives, find what are the problem you can't exteriorize otherwise and work on them.
Good luck :)

[YamiHuss]

I used to change in the toilets instead of in the locker room. But if you can't then do this:

1. Use long girl boxers or short leggings.

2. When changing face a wall or your locker and chang your pants first, so you can use your t-shirt for more cover.

3. Confine to a girl friend about it and ask for her help.

If someone catches you say you have a cat and usually you kind of force him to sit on you laps.

I know I should be saying that you better stop self harm. But I use to do it and I know how it is. It cost me 2 years of trying to stop before I could. I have scars everywhere and hiding them it's still a task even after 4 years of no self harm.

People still wonder why I don't go to the beach or pool...

[Kai02]

I had to go through that last year in 8th grade, but the locker room was small so here was what I did.

I didn't talk to anyone while in the locker room and I changed in the corner. I only cut on my left thigh because that was more hidden when I faced the corner. Its all about positioning yourself out of view.

Also, as a fellow self harmer, if you ever need to talk to someone you can message me, okay? Offer is there if you don't have anyone to talk to

[Toomuchsauceeeeee]

Don’t change out until they are healed and talk to a council our org the realist or someone i know someone who cuts themselves and they got sent to a rehab place by herself at the Age 13 bc she wasn’t okay with her body but now she has been there for about a year and she isn’t in some rehab classes and talking to a therapist

[dragon9669]

Talk to your counsellor