Question on previous self-harm issues..

[ConcernedMom]

Hello all, I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I did not find it when i used the search function.

My daughter is 18 and is looking into becoming a Police Officer.

My concern is that she will be refused because when she was around 14 she got into cutting. She did not tell me until recently, and she managed to keep it hidden for years by wearing long sleeved shirts. I always figured she was just shy..

She has not done it since (about 3 years), but still has pretty noticeable scars on her arm (only one arm was affected), these scars embarass her, and she doesn't wear short sleeves even now.

I'm wondering if this will seriously affect her chances (I'm guessing yes, but I still have hope). And even if it does and she has no chance, is there any way to help them fade faster?

Thanks very much for all your time all, and thanks for any answers or tips you can possibly give me.

[michiganstud]

Hello all, I'm sorry if this has been asked before but I did not find it when i used the search function.

My daughter is 18 and is looking into becoming a Police Officer.

My concern is that she will be refused because when she was around 14 she got into cutting. She did not tell me until recently, and she managed to keep it hidden for years by wearing long sleeved shirts. I always figured she was just shy..

She has not done it since (about 3 years), but still has pretty noticeable scars on her arm (only one arm was affected), these scars embarass her, and she doesn't wear short sleeves even now.

I'm wondering if this will seriously affect her chances (I'm guessing yes, but I still have hope). And even if it does and she has no chance, is there any way to help them fade faster?

Thanks very much for all your time all, and thanks for any answers or tips you can possibly give me.

Well that depends. Was it an attention thing as some kids lead it to beleive? Or is it an obsessive compulsive disorder?

If she is free from the disorder and the problem and she can pass a psych exam she should be ok. But what other problems does she have?

[ConcernedMom]

I do not believe it was for attention, as she didn't let anyone know.

What she told me when I asked was that she felt really overwhelmed and numb, and knew someone else that did, she said it made her feel more 'grounded'.

She is free from it now, and went through therapy sessions with her school councelor for awhile.

Completely clean record, decent grades. All in all she was a good kid without motivation. She was shy and didn't have much faith in herself, I think.

We moved here from another country when she was young and I think the loss of family affected her a lot, she was used to having a lot of people there for her.

I believe she would pass a mental evaluation, but the short sleeved uniforms concern me.

[sgtbear111]

Ask your family physician about the scars, or ask to see a Dermatologist. If the therapy fixed her problem, a potential LE employer may need that in writing from a mental health professional when she applies. Aside from what you told us, emotional maturity and ability to make correct decisions under stress are essential. She has 3 years to prepare, college level study, technical training, military service, or employment in a legal or crimnal justice job, are all good resume items. If she has good quality friends, that is very important. Check with your local police dept. and inquire about a Cadet or Explorer program for young people thinking of a career in law enforcement. She will get an inside look at the nature of the work; seeing the "why and how" rather than just the outcome reported in the press/media.

She is fortunate to have your support. Happy Mother's Day.

[mcsap]

Three years is pretty recent but...18 is a bit young to get hired in most places.

Rather than even applying, she should consider getting a degree and coming back a little more mature with more time between when she was cutting herself. Maybe throw in some volunteer work, sprinkle some good employment ( even if part-time) , get rid of any drug or alcohol using friends and do whatever she can to polish up her background for when she does apply.

[Taxx]

Alot of the cutting I have seen is how those people manifest their problems. Of course there are the ones that are trying to kill themselves or want attention. Either way there is something going wrong in the ol' squash for someone to want to do that to themselves.

It is something that needs to be disclosed in the application process. There is a written psychological test and usually a verbal interview or test. If she has some underlying problem, hopefully it will be found when she get's ready test. If it isn't found, then either she's okay or god help her department.

[ConcernedMom]

Thank you all very much for your replies.

No, she doesn't intend to apply or anything like that for quite some time (has to go to college still!). She was just weighing her options, and I was worried it would be an immediate disqualification.

I also would like any problems to come out before she goes into a high stress job, and I'm thankful to you all for being honest and taking the time to talk to me.