I just found out that someone I love is self mutilating,why do people do this?

Answer 1

This is unfortunately a common thing for people suffering from some forms of depression. The important thing that you need to realize is that you probably won't have the skills needed to help or 'fix' your friend. Don't take their self mutilation or the fact that most of your well-meant advice will most likely not stop them from doing it.

The reasons why are varied and complicated but a very basic explanation is that the pain from the mutilation causes the brain to release endorphins. So the initial pain counters the emotional pain they are feeling and the endorphins work as a natural drug to lessen the pain.

The best thing you could do for your friend is be supportive of them, don't lecture, blame, or yell at them. It will only make things worse. Do your best to get them into therapy or get them to see a counsellor. If you ever feel that your friend is bordering on suicide best take intervening measures right away. I'm assuming you're still in school. Talk to the school psychiatrist or contact a suicide hotline immediately if you feel your friend is in danger of suicide.

Best of luck, I hope things work out for you and your friend.

Answer 2

Self mutilating is common, many people do it to fit in or gain attention. Your concern suggest that your friend is most likely doing it to get high. Cutting causes certain chemicals to be released into the blood stream. Pain is used to treat depression. Your friend is self medicating. Exercising and eating fresh fruits and vegetables, is a better way of treating depression.

Answer 3

To most people, physically hurting yourself to feel better just doesn't make sense. Self injury is a coping mechanism that some people resort to as a measns of survival. It is very similar to many other more socially accepted coping mechanisms such as alcohol abuse, drug abuse or eating disorders. It is NOT a suicide attempt. Most who self injure are doing so to stay alive

Answer 4

I am no psychologist or anything, but my thinking is that depressed people feel bad for no apparent reason. The more rational personalities will want to find a reason for this, but cannot. So they create a situation around them that guarantees that they (and perhaps others) will most certainly feel bad. Then, it all makes sense.

Answer 5

They are feeling a strong emotional pain that they are unable to cope with.Cutting (ect) helps ease the pain by giving the person a visible pain, that they can more easily understand.
Give your freind a hug and spend some time together. Maybe he/she will talk with you next time instead of hurting themself.

Answer 6

I used to do this. There are two main reasons. One is that they are trying to make a physical pain that they can focus on instead of their emotional/mental pain. And two is that it is a way for them to make their pain visible to the world....meaning that it's a cry for help.
Talk to this person and see if you can find out if they want help. If they still deny that they want help for whatever is going on with them, then I would recommend calling your local clinic or hospital for suggestions on how you can help them.
I wish you lots of luck!

Answer 7

it's a way to release pain or to feel so much pysical pain so they won't have to deal with the emotional pain. For them it's an escape from reality or from the world around them.

Answer 8

I used to do this and I did it because I was so depressed. I was diagnsised with bordline personality disorder. If you want to know more about this email me at [e-mail]. I can explain better what I mean.

Answer 9

They're probably under a lot of stress. It can be a sort of stress reliever for some people.

Answer 10

its a way of letting out some of their feelings.they feel the best way to shake something off from their minds is to feel the physical aspect of pain.