Self harm and Medical exam

[blu 0]

Hi all,

Will be taking a medical exam in the Philippines for a student visa but I have some self harm scars. They are not raised and do not look very serious, but look like old, thin and white scratches on both legs. I have heard that they do a full body examination and do not know how to respond if they ask me about them. Should I just say I got them from shaving badly? I honestly don't know what to do. Any advice on dealing with this will be helpful.  

[John & Rose 7,239]

11 minutes ago, blu said:

Hi all,

Will be taking a medical exam in the Philippines for a student visa but I have some self harm scars. They are not raised and do not look very serious, but look like old, thin and white scratches on both legs. I have heard that they do a full body examination and do not know how to respond if they ask me about them. Should I just say I got them from shaving badly? I honestly don't know what to do. Any advice on dealing with this will be helpful.  

They specifically look for those and they will recognize them.  DO NOT LIE.  If all is good now the only difference will be a psych eval on day 2.  Be honest with them.  If they catch the lie you will be denied.  Look the doctor in the eye and tell them the truth.  People with self harm scars can still be approved.  Misrepresentation and lies will never be approved.  Just relax and answer their question.  

 

Even more important!  DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION!  Answer their questions but only their questions.  Do not give them any information they don't ask for.  Relax, you may or may not have some tough questions but be confident and you will be fine.

[JFH 12,189]

Do NOT lie about the origin of the scars! 

 

Were you ever ever treated for mental health problems? They will ask you about that stuff at the medical exam. Be truthful! These are qualified doctors, not just random people, doing the medical exam. They know the difference between shaving accidents and self-harm. Don't be silly. You must give the correct answers, not the ones you *think* are the ones that will give you the best chance of success. 

Edited April 8, 2018 by JFH

[Greenbaum 12,259]

5 minutes ago, John & Rose said:

They specifically look for those and they will recognize them.  DO NOT LIE.  If all is good now the only difference will be a psych eval on day 2.  Be honest with them.  If they catch the lie you will be denied.  Look the doctor in the eye and tell them the truth.  People with self harm scars can still be approved.  Misrepresentation and lies will never be approved.  Just relax and answer their question.  

 

Even more important!  DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION!  Answer their questions but only their questions.  Do not give them any information they don't ask for.  Relax, you may or may not have some tough questions but be confident and you will be fine.

Grasshopper. You have learned a lot on your journey. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

Just now, Greenbaum said:

Grasshopper. You have learned a lot on your journey. 

You are SOOOO correct on that!  I even had the worst post ever in the history of the world!  I thank you for much of my knowledge.

[blu 0]

Thank you so much guys. The reason why I'm so worried is because my parents don't know about them and I'm afraid that the doctor may disclose these things to them after the medical test (I am applying for a student visa), especially if they send me for a psychiatric evaluation. There's no way I could tell them due to cultural stigma. Anyone know if the doctors are allowed to do this or not?  

[blu 0]

8 hours ago, John & Rose said:

They specifically look for those and they will recognize them.  DO NOT LIE.  If all is good now the only difference will be a psych eval on day 2.  Be honest with them.  If they catch the lie you will be denied.  Look the doctor in the eye and tell them the truth.  People with self harm scars can still be approved.  Misrepresentation and lies will never be approved.  Just relax and answer their question.  

 

Even more important!  DO NOT VOLUNTEER INFORMATION!  Answer their questions but only their questions.  Do not give them any information they don't ask for.  Relax, you may or may not have some tough questions but be confident and you will be fine.

Ok, that's clear I'll do that. I posted this just before but I'm new to this site so I'm not sure if people commenting on this thread are notified but basically I'll just say it again here: The reason why I'm so worried is because my parents don't know about them and I'm afraid that the doctor may disclose these things to them after the medical test (I am applying for a student visa), especially if they send me for a psychiatric evaluation. There's no way I could tell them due to cultural stigma. Anyone know if the doctors are allowed to do this or not?  

[John & Rose 7,239]

4 minutes ago, blu said:

Ok, that's clear I'll do that. I posted this just before but I'm new to this site so I'm not sure if people commenting on this thread are notified but basically I'll just say it again here: The reason why I'm so worried is because my parents don't know about them and I'm afraid that the doctor may disclose these things to them after the medical test (I am applying for a student visa), especially if they send me for a psychiatric evaluation. There's no way I could tell them due to cultural stigma. Anyone know if the doctors are allowed to do this or not?  

They should not share anything with your parents. This will be between you and the doctors. How old are you?  If you are a minor they may have to share it but if you are of age they should not. 

Edited April 9, 2018 by John & Rose

[blu 0]

1 minute ago, John & Rose said:

They should not share anything with your parents. This will be between you and the doctors. How old are you?  If you are a minor they may have to share it but if you are of age they should not. 

I will be 17 at the time of the exam, just a month and a half before I turn 18.  I am hoping that they do not reveal anything. 

[John & Rose 7,239]

5 minutes ago, blu said:

I will be 17 at the time of the exam, just a month and a half before I turn 18.  I am hoping that they do not reveal anything. 

If it comes up, I would ask the doctors not to share anything with your parents. 

[Ontarkie 14,190]

~~Moved to the PI Forum, from NVC- Medical exams very from Country to Country.~~

[Hank_ 9,174]

8 hours ago, blu said:

Ok, that's clear I'll do that. I posted this just before but I'm new to this site so I'm not sure if people commenting on this thread are notified but basically I'll just say it again here: The reason why I'm so worried is because my parents don't know about them and I'm afraid that the doctor may disclose these things to them after the medical test (I am applying for a student visa), especially if they send me for a psychiatric evaluation. There's no way I could tell them due to cultural stigma. Anyone know if the doctors are allowed to do this or not?  

Some scarring does lead to an evaluation, but I doubt they will share info with your parents directly, unless a parent was with you during the medical

[Chris Duffy 1,257]

2 hours ago, Hank_ said:

Some scarring does lead to an evaluation, but I doubt they will share info with your parents directly, unless a parent was with you during the medical

That is my thought as well

 

Just go alone

[John & Rose 7,239]

2 hours ago, Chris Duffy said:

That is my thought as well

 

Just go alone

I doubt if the parent will be in the exam unless they are also applying for a visa.  A 17 year old doesn't need a chaperone in the exam.  I think all will be fine.

[Hank_ 9,174]

14 hours ago, blu said:

I will be 17 at the time of the exam, just a month and a half before I turn 18.  I am hoping that they do not reveal anything. 

You are a minor thus a parent or guardian is required to attention (with picture ID)

1 hour ago, John & Rose said:

I doubt if the parent will be in the exam unless they are also applying for a visa.  A 17 year old doesn't need a chaperone in the exam.  I think all will be fine.

17 and young are minors and St. Luke's requires that a parent or legal guardian accompany a minor

 

http://www.slec.ph/us-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

Edited April 9, 2018 by Hank_