What possesses people to cut themselves?

Question

Is it a spiritual possession? Mental illness? I asked a question before about my neighbor's daughter http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ahtv5hOhQoYDlgN81Blu5mjsy6IX?qid=20061014073316AA54wng

and now, things are getting worse. I meditated on this last night after she left my home talking to me, and I know beyond equivocation that she is full of more bullshit than a Christmas turkey is stuffing. However, she has her mother so worried that she is now seeking a witchdoctor to "help" her. These clearly are marks made by a razor blade, all over her face, arms and neck...all places she can easily reach.

Why do people cut themselves? What spiritual void are they trying to fill? What are they trying to fill? This kid has a lot of stuff going on in her life, and I am certain her current state of affairs has something to do with this. It seems she wants attention, but why the hell would anyone slice themselves up to get that?

No Steph. I mean a real witchdoctor. Some sort of Hispanic mojo lady, like a Voudoun Lwa, or something. Her mother beleives in all that.

Answer 1

i think people cut themselves as a form that they do not think they are worthy. You will find this alot in people who have been abused as a child, whether physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse. These people have very low self images and use it as a form of revenge on themselves, because they think the abuse was their fault. Another reason can be a form of manipulation, if they cut themselves up, they obviously are going to receive attention. People who cut themselves are in need of professional counseling.

Answer 2

I have a niece doing the same thing. Yes it is for attention, but not in the spoiled brat way we all think of when we say "for attention". She has some serious issues, abuse being one of them.

From what she told me, it is because the physical pain of cutting relieves the mental pain for a while. I suppose it is along the same lines as putting a clothespin on your ear to relieve pain elsewhere ... it works for a little bit, but does nothing to cure the other pain.

I'd advise the counsel of a mental health person, rather than that of a witchdoctor. She needs to be evaluated.

Answer 3

Most people do cut themselves to feel something... Anything... But the torture of whatever it is killing them on the inside. I know this from personal experience. I'm sure every cutter is different, but I can promise you that they feel a relief of some sort from self injuring. Whether it be just the sight of the injury that makes us feel better because now we are starting to look as ugly on the outside as we feel on the inside. Or it could be for the sadness we feel and the release of the endorphins to make us " happy" even if its short term happiness. Or because our pain is burning sooooo bad on the inside that the temporary hurt on the outside to make the other go away is worth every cut and every scar. Anything we can do to make the torture from our soul come out is what we are doing and Unfortunately some of us have found this cutting method helpful. Hopefully this helps someone to get help before they are doing this too long and can't stop either...

Answer 4

In my opinion, it's because people have nothing else to help them cure the pain they feel in their hearts. I've heard that people will put their hands in boiling water to distract themselves from the pain of a snakebite, and it's my opinion that people who cut themselves are trying to do something similar. Because they hurt inside for some reason, they hurt themselves outside to try to distract themselves from it. I can't pretend to know what your neighbor's daughter is feeling here and therefore can't answer your question properly.

Of course, some people do do it for attention, and that's bad. Some kids also do it for "fashion" -- like drugs, cutting is becoming something that's cool in some circles. It supposedly shows on the outside all the pain that you're feeling on the inside. If she's made no effort to conceal the marks and has displayed them with pride or at least without shame, she may be doing it for attention or fashion.

I hope this is a helpful answer for you and I hope your neighbor's daughter gets everythign straightened out.

Answer 5

i did answer you the last time you posted and you chose my answer ... if you remember is suggested it may be sleep paralysis

well it does sound like there is more to it
and that the poor girl is cutting also

self harming is quite a sad situation , it isn't a cry for attention
but a need for release
it is very common in teenagers who dont know how else to express them self and more so in girls

strangely enough this would also tie in with the dreams
as dreams are also a release

i think this girl needs a good councillor and a lot of love
maybe you can help ?

Answer 6

I have to agree with Mutterhals above. It is partially mental illness, normally depression. I was once a cutter. I was depressed (not that anyone could tell by looking at me) and I used a razor as punishment for whenever I fell short of "being perfect". It's not to get attention. In fact, it's a horrible secret that many cutters hide. ONly my closest friends knew I cut and that was because I needed their support. When they looked at me with disgust when they saw my scars, I stopped going to them for help and went back to the razor.

I have not cut myself since last year (nearly a full year now), but I haven't stopped having the urge. It's an addiction and that girl needs help. If you mean witchdoctor as in psychologist, GET HER TO ONE! She needs help and understanding!

Trust me, I've been there.

Answer 7

Mutterhals is right - it is a form or depression or ADD. My daughter has been taught about it in health class in school and I've also learned about it in my research about things that can go wrong with her (she has ADHD). But, if this girl is cuting visible places I would say that it is a cry for attention - maybe attachment disorder. Cutters usually keep it out of sight - just like drugs, stealing, eating disorders, etc. they hide the behaviour because they do know it is wrong but are compelled to do it. She needs to see a therapist.

Answer 8

I've felt like doing this before, but don't really understand why I've felt like it. I have been depressed lately, since my break up. It does feel like I can't cry even though I hurt so much and just want to cut up my arms. I haven't actually done it though. It is something I've questioned as well. It is more mental than spiritual, though. I say good day.

Answer 9

It is said we create energies with our spirits. Wars, killing, violence, even nightmares create negative energies. There is a teaching that there is a force building in the Earth called the FEAR.
I imagine the magnetic core draws these energies there. Supposedly, the force is getting bigger, and that is why people
are snapping. Doing sudden, unexpected violence, and possibly
this cutting phenomenon.
Isaiah 24:18. KJV.

Answer 10

I have a neice who self mutilates. She has severe depression and she told me that sometimes you hurt so badly on the inside that the only way to stop that pain is to place it on the outside. She is only 15 so I am not sure how to explain to her that there are better ways to handle inner pain but she is getting better with therapy and medication.