Why do people slit there wrists?

Question

I've heard they like the pain?? I'm really confused so If you cut you should explain to why you do it? I just don't see hurting yourself as pleasure.

Answer 1

I assume you are speaking about self-harm vs. attempted suicide? It's less about liking the pain, as it is an attempt to rid themselves of pain, and to feel something....anything. Below is an explanation of why people self-harm.

"A person who self-harms is likely to have gone through very difficult, painful experiences as a child or young adult. At the time, they probably had no one they could confide in, so didn't receive the support and the emotional outlet they needed to deal with it. The experience might have involved physical violence, emotional abuse, or sexual abuse. They might have been neglected, separated from someone they loved, been bullied, harassed, assaulted, isolated, put under intolerable pressure, made homeless, sent into care, into hospital or to other institutions.

Experiences like these erode self-esteem. Emotions that have no outlet may be buried and blocked completely out of awareness. If a trusted adult betrays or abuses them, and there are no other witnesses, children will often blame themselves. They turn their anger inwards. By the time they become adults, self-injury can be a way of expressing their pain, punishing themselves, and keeping memories at bay.

There is often an absence of pain during the act of self-injury, rather like the absence of sensation that often occurs during abuse or trauma. The body produces natural opiates, which numb it and mask the emotions, so that little is felt or realised consciously.

A badly traumatised person may end up feeling quite detached from their feelings and their body. Some may injure themselves to maintain that sense of being separate, and to convince themselves that they aren't vulnerable. Others may injure themselves in order to feel something and know that they are real and alive."

Answer 2

Most people who are cutters (that I know) don't slit their wrists. Slitting wrists is usually reserved for suicide because it is an extremely dangerous place to cut. Those who cut themselves usually cut where it is more easily hidden and where it is "safer".

I myself am a cutter. I don't slit my wrists. It's not so much liking or even enjoying the pain but needing the pain. Sometimes I feel so much emotional pain that it's easier for me to understand and deal with as physical pain. That idea stems from my experience as a child being told it's not okay to cry when your feelings are hurt; it's only ok when you're physically hurt. Everyone has coping methods, some people cry, others get angry, and others like myself, cut.

Cutting also releases endorphins, chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. So in a way it is very much like a drug. Though I find it has more uses than a street drug as it can give you a high or a low, it can make you numb or it can help you feel.

That said though, I hate the fact that I cope by cutting myself and I have been working very hard on stoping. It's a long hard process. Much like that of a recovering alcoholic or drug user. I am making progress though. Maybe one day I'll be completely free of this double edged sword.

Answer 3

There are many reasons behind why people cause self injury. I'm sure living an isolated life can make you fell dull and "dead" others cut as a way to control things or as a stress reliever. You never know what someone could be dealing with behind closed doors, cutting for them could show that they still have control of their pain.

Answer 4

Cutting is an emotional reaction to extreme psychological stress. Many cutters say they feel "dead" inside - that the only thing that really touches them is the pain of cutting. Better to have that pain than to feel nothing.

Cutting is a clear signal that psychiatric help is needed.

Answer 5

I never have had a cutting problem but i know why they do it. They have so much stress or problems in their everyday lives that if they hurt themselves or feel pain, that can distract themselves from everyday stress that they usually would have to deal with. THey say cutting takes them in an entirely different world so it distracts them from whats really going on around them. I hope this helps.
~reb

Answer 6

Their anger levels get so high just think have you ever been so mad at someone imagining hurting them and putting them to pain feels good, well for them it is the opposite letting themselves suffer feels good and makes them feel more strong. But when it is done and they are feeling better sometimes they regret it.

Answer 7

The wrists are easily accessible and readily seen...I don't think that people who slit their wrists, do it for pleasure, but to end their lives, to be honest with you

Answer 8

For me, it wasn't the pain. It was a way for me to release all of my anger and my emotions. It does feel good. It's not the fact of "OH I think I'm going to hurt myself" its more like..for me at least..the only way I could let things go. It became an addiction for me. It became a high.

Answer 9

to let the bad blood out. To cut is to punish yourself for something that you have done wrong. I would not recomend this type of punishment. It hurts and you might die causing more guilt and punishment to others. Seek help not blades.

Answer 10

u probably mean cutting.....cutting in different parts of body esp the arms....that is inflicting pain to themselves to divert the feeling of emotional pain..... its like taking drugs.....or drinking alcohol......
now slitting the wrist is a suicidal behavior.....that one is different....suicidal behavior is usually with depression, or those with bipolar disorder.