“Good afternoon, I’m Dr. Smith, a junior doctor in paediatrics. Can I confirm if I’m speaking with the patient who presented with self-harm involving her wrists?”
“Hey, um, yeah, that’s me. I’m Ashlee. So, like, I told my mom what happened and she brought me here. I just want to make sure everything is okay, you know?”
“Hi Ashlee, I understand that this must be a difficult time for you. I’m here to help and make sure you’re okay. Can you tell me a bit more about what happened and how you’re feeling now?”
“Yeah, sure. So, earlier tonight, I got into this big argument with my boyfriend. It was, like, really intense and we ended up breaking up. I was so upset and I just couldn’t see a life without him, you know? So, I did something stupid and cut my wrists with a razor blade. But now, I regret it and I don’t want to die anymore. I just want to forget this whole thing happened.”
“I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve been going through such a tough time, Ashlee. It sounds like the argument with your boyfriend was really distressing for you. Can you tell me more about how you’ve been feeling since then?”
“Yeah, it’s been really rough. I’ve been feeling so low and upset since the argument. I can’t stop thinking about what happened and it’s just been eating me up inside, you know?”
“I’m really sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling so low and upset, Ashlee. It’s completely understandable given the circumstances. Have you been feeling this way for a while, or is it more recent?”
“Well, it’s been, like, since the argument happened. I mean, it’s only been a few hours, but it feels like forever. I just can’t shake off this feeling of sadness and emptiness, you know?”
“It’s understandable that you’re feeling this way after such a distressing event. It’s important to remember that these feelings are temporary and there is support available to help you through this.”
“I appreciate that there’s help available, but I really just want to be reassured that physically I’m okay. I don’t want to be admitted or anything like that.”
“I understand that you’re concerned about your physical well-being. It’s important for us to assess your injuries and make sure you’re safe. Can you tell me more about the extent of the cuts on your wrists?”
“Yeah, the cuts on my wrists are, like, not too bad. They’re not gushing blood or anything. I mean, they’re there, but they’re not, like, life-threatening or anything. I just want to make sure they’re not infected or anything like that.”
“Are there any signs of infection such as redness, swelling, or discharge around the cuts?”
“Um, no, there’s no redness or swelling around the cuts. They’re just, like, small and kind of shallow. I’ve been keeping them clean and covered with bandages.”
“Have you experienced any thoughts of self-harm or suicide before this incident?”
“No, this is the first time I’ve ever done something like this. I’ve never had thoughts of self-harm or suicide before. It was just a really intense moment and I didn’t know how to cope.”
“Do you have a support system in place, such as friends or family members you can talk to?”
“Yeah, I have a really great group of friends who I can talk to. They’ve been there for me through thick and thin, you know? They’re like my second family.”
“I’m really glad to hear that you have a supportive group of friends. It’s important to have people you can lean on during difficult times. Have you talked to them about what happened?”
“Yeah, I actually talked to a couple of my friends about what happened. They were really understanding and supportive. It felt good to get it off my chest, you know?”
“Have you experienced any other stressful events or conflicts recently?”
“I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything happening in my life, and I think it all just kind of built up and led to this breaking point.”
“Can you tell me more about the stressors and conflicts you’ve been experiencing in your life recently?”
“Well, lately, school has been pretty demanding. I’ve been juggling assignments, tests, and extracurricular activities, and it’s been stressing me out. Sometimes it feels like there’s just not enough time in the day to get everything done, you know?”
“Are there any other sources of stress or conflicts in your life that you’d like to discuss?”
“Yeah, there’s actually been some tension at home too. My parents have been arguing a lot lately, and it’s been really hard for me to deal with. It’s like I’m caught in the middle of it all, you know?”
“I’m really sorry to hear that you’re caught in the middle of your parents’ arguments. It can be really tough to deal with that kind of tension at home. How has this been affecting you emotionally?”
“It’s been really tough emotionally. I feel like I’m constantly on edge, waiting for the next argument to happen. It’s like this heavy weight on my shoulders, you know?”
“It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this. There are people who care about you and want to support you. Have you considered reaching out to a counselor or therapist who can help you navigate through these difficult emotions?”
“Yeah, I’ve actually thought about talking to a counselor or therapist. I think it could be helpful to have someone to talk to who’s trained in dealing with these kinds of things, you know?”
“Ashlee, I’m really glad to hear that you’re open to the idea of talking to a counselor or therapist. They can provide you with a safe space to express your feelings and help you develop coping strategies. Would you like me to help you find a counselor or therapist who specializes in adolescent mental health?”
“Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I think talking to a counselor or therapist could really help me sort through all these emotions and find healthier ways to cope, you know?”
“Ashlee, I understand that you’re feeling overwhelmed and regretful about what happened. It’s important to prioritize your physical and emotional well-being. I will assess your injuries and make sure they’re not infected. If necessary, we may involve a wound care specialist to ensure proper healing.”
“Yeah, that sounds good. I just want to make sure my cuts are taken care of and don’t get infected.”