Self injury and hospitals?

Question

If say someone cut themselves several times bad enough to need stitches, but it was not a suicide attempt, when/ if they go to the hospital, what's the licklyhood they'd get a psyc. evaluation or be sent to a mental ward? Is there a way to explain cuts on the stomach and top of the arm without saying they were self inflicted? Do you have to tell them what happened or can you just say I'd rather not talk about it? Can they tell the difference between self inflicted and accidental? What would happen if you said they were self infilcted? Sorry so many questions just trying to see if someone should even go to the hospital or just try to tape the cuts closed.

Answer 1

A person who needs medical treatment for an injury should absolutely go to the hospital no matter how she got said injury. There's nothing to be afraid of. If they do want to admit the person on a 24 hour psych hold (which is all they can do without a court order), it's because it's in her best interest. If you go into the ER voluntarily, you can always leave AMA (against medical advice) even if they want to keep you there for observation. They only time you're not allowed to leave is if you're a minor and your parents say you have to stay (but they can sign you out AMA), or if you were arrested before being brought to the hospital and the police want you back when they're done (but even then you can still refuse medical treatment).

An experienced ER doctor will usually be able to tell that cuts are self-inflicted by how the cuts look and how the patient behaves even if the patient doesn't tell him. But having cuts that look like they're self-inflicted isn't grounds to keep you in the hospital against your will. They can, and hopefully will encourage you to see psychiatric help, but they can't force you do if you don't want to.

If someone cuts herself badly enough to need stitches, it's in her best interest medically to go to the hospital and tell them that she cut herself and needs help. But even if she doesn't want help to stop hurting herself, it's important that she still get appropriate medical treatment for the physical injuries so they can heal properly and not become infected. Quite honestly, if you're over 18 and you go to the ER and say that someone else cut you and you don't want to press charges, then there's nothing they can do but treat the cuts and let you leave. If you're under 18 they have to tell your parents what happened, and report potential child abuse to the state, but you don't need to present any form of ID, so just go to the hospital, give them a fake name and birthday, and there's nothing they can do beyond treating the cuts.

Answer 2

Ok, to try and answer your questions here's my experience. Yeah, they can tell that they are self inflicted or accidental. If you told them they were self inflicted, I am not exactly sure if they'd send you to the psych ward or not. Depends on the hospital. I was a cutter, stopped about three years ago, but still have the urge and when I went to the hospital to get some help they told me in order for them to admit me into the psych ward, I would have to attempt suicide (I am completely serious!). Oh, and don't try to tape them up yourself. Assuming you are not a medical professional, they could very easily get infected and you'd have to go to the hospital anyway. And what they would do then would suck way more than the stitches!

Answer 3

Yes, most trained physicians can tell the difference between self inflicted and accidental wounds. They cannot force you to tell them exactly what happened. If someone has deep/wide cuts on them they need to go to a hospital to at least get them taken care of, and get a tetnas shot to help stop them from getting a severe life threatening infection. If this person was not trying to commit suicide, then there is something else going on that needs looked into. That does not neccessarily mean a psych ward. It could mean outpatient counseling. If someone else inflicted these type of injuries on this person, then that person needs to be reported to the police, and put in jail. Sometimes the fear in our imagination is far greater than the real life reality of dealing with whatever is going on in our lives. Everyone in life needs help with something at some point, and asking for that help is not a crime, it is to be applauded and held high that someone is able to ask in the first place.

Answer 4

Depends on what state you live in. Criteria for psychiatric hospitalizations is slightly different in each state. It would be best to get the cuts stitched up. People usually do not have an accidental cut to the stomach area so they will probably be able to tell those are self-inflicted. You should not be sent to a psychiatric hospital if you are not suicidal and are able to contract for safety.

Answer 5

First, absolutely go to the hospital! They could get infected, etc etc and that is totally not worth it!

Second, more than likely, whether you gave a reason or not, you are going to get a psych eval for cuts that are obviously self inflicted. But why look at that as such a bad thing?? A psych eval is to help the patient, not judge or condemn them. They will not admit you without your consent, but try to be open to the help...whether you, or whoever this is, thinks it is needed or not. A lot of mental conditions are chemical imbalances, and while you may feel fine, there is something they can fix very easily.

Good luck, hope all turns out well!

Answer 6

Okay.....yes they would get a psychological evaluation and be on (at least) a 24-hour, guarded suicide watch. However, just because someone hurts themselves and gets an evaluation does not mean they will be stuck in the psych ward. If the person does not have an immediate plan and the means to kill themselves, then they will be allowed to go home. The hospital may suggest counseling but I don't think they actually follow up with the patient unless it is an actual suicide attempt. I hope this answer was helpful.

Answer 7

I think that someone should get to the hospital cuz it can cause really searous infections. Some psyc. help might really be a good idea though. I really don't they just ship you off to a mental ward. I think docs are smart enough to tell when wounds are self inflicted. My cousin was a cutter. They didn't send her away.

Answer 8

Medical team has to ask what has happened and how it happened. If you give them a lame excuse, they would admit that person for a psychiatric evaluation to rule-out attempting suicide. They should be able to tell by the cuts if it was an accident or self inflicted by the description.

Answer 9

If you need stitches, get them!! However, a hospital can't force you to stay if you are over 18. If you are younger, they will consult your parents and make a decision. I know people who have used the "cat scratched me" or "I fell into a bush" or "I scratched myself on something sharp" excuses, and they've worked, although I don't recommend lying! If you know someone who needs help, be a friend and listen to everything they are telling you. They may hate you for saying something to someone, but it will be worth it in the end. I didn't say anything when my friend was cutting and now, she's gone - suicide. Do what you can to protect this person!

Answer 10

Go to a hospital...your wounds need to be professionally treated. I would say hospital staff would know you have inflicted these cuts on yourself. It depends if the doctor/nurse wants to do anything about it. At every large hospital they have qualified psychologists/counsellors and social workers. What would probably happen is the doctor will call one of these people to have a talk to you....well, that is what should happen.

I dont have to tell you this because you already know you need some help. Something has happened to you in your life for you to be cutting yourself this way. You need that help, And going to a hospital to have your wounds tended to will give you that help. Go to hospital, but dont wait for the doctor to call the counsellor....ask to see one yourself, or they could just refer you to a psychiatric hospital. Whatever the case, whether it be in a "regular" hospital or a psychiatric hospital you will get the help you so desperately need. Your wounds will heal, they may leave a scar, they may not, but unless you get the "wounds in your head" attended to, then you will definitely be left with huge emotional scars that never heal.