why do people cut them selfs?

Question

is it addicting

Answer 1

Self-harm is a means of coping with emotional stress, for one reason or another self-harmers lack 'normal' coping methods, often it is a result of problems during the formative years such as emotional abuse at home or inadequate levels of socialisation.

Normally self-harming behaviour starts off when a person reaches puberty because it is at this time when a child will start to experience greater emotions or emotions they had not previously experienced, which they are not able to deal with. Self-harm is not exclusive to teenagers, it seems to be becoming more of a problem amongst teenagers because it is a behaviour that others can pick up on, some teenagers may see that some self-harmers get more attention and so want that attention themselves. Self-harm is not about getting attention, most self-harmers will hide their self-harm for fear of facing prejudice, even when our society is breaking down myths surrounding self-harm many still do not understand, also because as with most people they do not like others to see they are upset or having difficulty coping with something.

Myths regarding self-harm:
Self-harmers are suicidal, self-harmers are weak, self-harm is attention seeking, self-harm is for teenagers, self-harm is an addiction, self-harm is something for people who are 'Goth' or 'Emo'.
None of these are true.

One of the biggest problems self-harmers face is ignorance, many self-harmers friends or families try to force self-harmers not to cut or otherwise harm themselves, this creates two problems; the first is that they then are lacking any coping method to deal with their emotions, the second is that if or when they do self-harm again they are faced with even more negative emotions due to the guilt of letting family members down. A person does not stop being a self-harmer, the only way to deal with self-harm is through therapy to determine what made them a self-harmer, identify and prevent triggering situations and learn new healthy coping methods.

There are many people who lack 'normal' coping methods so turn to other methods to deal with their problems, some will turn to drug abuse, some will turn to emotional abuse of themselves or those close to them, self-harmers tend to internalise their problems yet choose an external means of expressing or dealing with their emotions because it makes it easier to deal with – self-harmers also report a feeling of release, the pain makes it more 'real' and easier to see the emotional reaction, where as something like drug abuse or antisocial behaviour is not as easy to see directly.

Self-harm can be addictive to a degree, self-harming can release a rush of adrenaline that can be related to chemical addiction, however for the most part the addiction becomes psychological as self-harmers may feel they need to self-harm more often then is necessary as they associate the feeling of relief to self-harm so may view self-harm as a means of getting relief in situations other than the situations that would normally trigger a need to self-harm.

Answer 2

I'm told that people who cut themselves (self harming) do so as other people have said on here, to bring attention to something, or as a release when they have other problems. Some times it's the only thing they feel in control of. There is a very worrying trend among young teens at tho moment to cut themselves, for no other reason than "so and so does it". Self harmers should be encouraged to seek help from whoever they can trust to talk to, for whatever reason they do it, as probably theree is an underlying reason for doing it. I'm also told that yes, it does get addictive.

Answer 3

There are several different reasons for cutting. A high proportion of the young (mostly women) who do it, don't show people and it's not for the attention. Emotional pain can be overwhelming and by causing physical pain which is a sharp pain, it stops the inner hurt for awhile. It may not make sense to some, but that's just the way it is. It doesn't necessarily mean the person is crazy or "psycho" - many people get past their teenage angst years without thinking about it in adulthood.

It can be the outward signs of a deeper problem though so if you know someone who is doing it, and they have other symptoms of depression or suicidal behaviour or thoughts, then it would pay to get them some help, even if they don't thank you for it at the time.

Answer 4

There are many theories to this and all of them could be correct. My little sister cuts herself, I'm the only she'll talk to about it. Also, I had a friend that did the same thing. Neither of them wanted extra attention. Both of them do NOT cry, they don't let other people know what's going on inside of them. Or they are really picky about who they will tell. Both of them will describe themselves as feeling numb, and that cutting is making sure they can still feel pain. Cutting is making sure they are still alive. And yes, addictive it seems to be...
I will say this, lecturing someone on how they are hurting themselves isn't going to do a bit of good. They are not idiots, they know it's not good for them. Try telling them what you love about them, what you care about... When you numb yourself out for pain, you eventually numb yourself out from all good things too. It's a healing stage, and can be healthy, but only temporarily, if the person starts cutting it's definitely been too long.
I'm sorry that you're dealing with this, I wish you and your child (i presume) the best of luck.

Answer 5

It is not for attention in true cases (though some are), it IS a release, and it does not mean you have low self esteem. Cutters often need control, they are able to control themselves by cutting. They do had a psychosis which makes them believe that the pain from the cutting will release pain from real life. Cutting is very similar to eating disorders becuase it does revolve around control issues.

Answer 6

I was watching a documentary about this the other day and some of "the cutters" as they are called said that when the are "hurting inside" the find cutting is a release of all that internal pain. It is almost like they transform th figurative pain into literal pain and then they feel better after wars. The describe it as "a rush and a release".

It is definitely addictive...as addictive as a drug or any other substance...One of the girls found a piece of glass (at her rehabilitation centre) an snuck it into her room. Later she confessed that she would lie in bed and fantasise about cutting herself and actually could not sleep until she had either cut or gotten rid of the piece of glass...luckily she resorted to the latter.

Answer 7

alot of the time the people cutting themselfs do not even understand why they do it, it has nothing to do with attention!!
alot of the time it has something to do with the diease of depression, people suffer with this in different ways ODing, Cutting, sometimes it could be a way of letting something out without hurting someone else, or when things get to much and you think you have no place to turn to.

i have read a few of te other replies and i agree with the ones that say ppl cut themselfs so they can feel pain, i suffer from depression and have done for about 3 years now and i have only cut myself once which was the other weekend, i cant even understand y i done it, but i had an agruement with my husband and smacked him in the month, i think i felt soooo guilty about things and alot of things got brought up it made me feel abit better in some sort of weird way!!

io dont even understand so how can anyone else

Answer 8

Not addicting in my experience at all. People cut IMO due to self-hate, frustration, lack of coping skills and/or support systems to help them deal with painful situations in life. These are the thoughts I experienced before and during a self mutilization;

Answer 9

Attention, release, its a feeling of control, or being able to feel in a world of numbness.

It is addictive and it can get out of control. Take cutting seriously because all self destructive behaviour can get out of control very quickly.

Answer 10

Sometimes the feeling of pain can act as a focussing agent for those doing the cutting. It acts somewhat to clear other thoughts from your mind, and helps to resolve issues. On the other hand, it can also be a cry for help, it would have to be determined on a case by case basis, I suppose.