what is the reason for someone to cut themselves on purpose?

Answer 1

It's common for people who cut themselves to justify it by saying that they're so depressed that they are unable to feel pain. Having hit an ultimate low (psychologically) they look for a release by experiencing it physically.
Hurting themselves to show that no one, not even themselves, cares what happens to them anymore.

There is also a need for control - since they can't control their environment, some people feel that all they can control is themselves. They abuse themselves to prove they are strong enough to "take it," in a sense.
Mastering the only thing they know for sure is real - the self - and applying the philosophy of "cogito ergo sum".

Answer 2

Some of the above posts touch on the why's...
it first begins as a way to cope, when you have no "skills" (for lack of a better term) on how to deal with anger, rage, pain, suffering etc...you cut so you can feel the pain and express it through the 'pain and blood' of self mutialting. If you do this frequently it can become almost like an addiction because of the natural chemicals released by the brain when you cut yourself.

Unlike many posted here that claim this is a cry for attention, I beg to differ. There will always be the "attention getters", do not let this discount the very real and severe compulsion of self mutilators.

Answer 3

Great question! I work in a prison and have wondered that many times. I thought they were trying to punish themselves. It does make sense that it is a control thing. And it goes without saying it's mental. And I don't believe it's for attention all the time either.

Answer 4

There are many reasons.

Mental instability brought on by abuse
Body Dismorphic problems
Personality disorders - eg. BPD or Schizophrenia
Plain old attention seeking

And people like Garrett should be forced to live with someone who cuts just for putting up stupid answers like "There is no reason"

Answer 5

It's A Release Or An Escape For Some People...

Answer 6

In response to anger or depression, and also guilt. The pain is a release for the pain and the anger and also a self administered punishment.

Lastly, the mark made is the proverbial cry for help.

Answer 7

It isn't just kids that cut themselves, many adults do this as well. As for why it is basically a way to cope. When there are so many bad emotions going on inside of a person and they do not know how to deal with them they cut themselves and this is a sort of outlet of feelings. Think about a plastic pop bottle. If you shake it up it creates a strong pressure inside the bottle and if the lid is taken off it will let the pressure off by spilling out all over the place. But if you put a pin hole in the plastic, the tiny hole will allow a little pressure to escape without a really big mess. That is kind of how a person that cuts feels. Their body is the pop bottle and their emotions are the shaken pop. They are afraid of what will happen if "the lid is taken off" so they make a "pin hole" by cutting. I hope that makes it understandable to you. I was a cutter when I was a teen and then again after my son was killed by a drunk driver. I don't cut myself anymore but I certainly understand why others do cut themselves.

Answer 8

I think people do it to relieve mental pain and also I think it can be a compulsion to hurt themselves

Answer 9

My guess would be that they are not happy with theirselves and tired of all the hurt that they are going through inside. Also they may be bullied by others and people just keep bringing their self esteem lower, so they are so unhappy that they decide to hurt theirselves and are tired of other people doing it for them.

Answer 10

To feel control over the pain they are receiving, whereas in life they can't.