Why do I cut myself?

Question

Could I be depressed or something. I feel really weird all the time and stuff I'm 17 am I just going through a stage or something?
Please help

At times I do wish I were dead

Answer 1

Its the same thing as me... It may be a stage, or it may be depression... Talk to your doctor when you get the chance.

Answer 2

Beings that you are 17, it is quite normal to be going through this.Usually girls are more likely to go through it then guys anyways. However, you probably should try a few exercises to use instead of cutting. Meditate, use a punching bag, use a stress ball or even write when you feel depressed. I understand the urge to cut is strong - I was there before many many times, however I did not want to kill myself. Some people do it as a release of stress or anxieties and is most common. The thing is, you must control the urges. Yes, it may feel good, but to what point. Next thing you know, you have a sore hand or sore leg and it just makes things worse. It is good to talk to a doc about what's going on. Perhaps you have something else that's bothering you. But you are 17 and it's likely to pass.

Answer 3

You are really hurting inside from something that's happened to you. Talk to a parent or an adult that you trust and who won't totally flip out. Don't tell a friend and then tell them "not to tell anyone". This just puts your friend in an awkward postion because they want to help you but they don't want to lose your friendship.

This could become a major addiction (sounds weird but it's true) if you don't get help ASAP. When you feel tempted to cut, try sqeezing ice cubes in your hands until the urge to cut goes away.


Here's an article I found about cutting:

Dear Susie:
Hey, I’m a cutter, and I think I’m addicted. One of my friends is planning on telling our youth pastor and my family if I don’t stop, and I don’t think I can. I don’t want anyone to know. Do you have any advice?

Addicted
From our e-mail bag

Dear Addicted:
I wish I could wrap my arms around you and just hold you for a while. It’s obvious you’re hurting deeply, or you wouldn’t be cutting yourself. I don’t know what kind of pain you’ve experienced, but I know Someone who totally understands. And that’s Christ.

I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, but there’s a reason you’re cutting. And until you deal with that, the addiction and the physical and emotional harm it’s causing will continue. Your family and youth pastor need to know what’s happening so they can surround you with love and help you through this dark tunnel. Please be open with them. We love you!

Answer 4

Some people cut or hurt themselves because it is easier to deal with physical pain then emotional. For some people it is control..if you feel you have no control over your life you harm yourself to kind of "ground" yourself. Some people can't express the hurt inside to others and display it as a sign of "help me".

You need to be careful because infections are a big risk. Also the scarring it will leave you with will upset you as an adult.

please talk to someone. Just sharing the fact that you do it can help you get through it.

Answer 5

My mother, a retired registered nurse says some people cut themselves because they want to let the evil out. They are not evil, but they think they are because of the way they were treated in life. The best thing to do is see a doctor who specializes in treating this symptom. It takes a lot of determination to work through the kinds of feelings that cause self-cutting, so you need an experienced specialist.

Answer 6

The only one who really knows why you cut is yourself, we can only help you get on the path to the answer. But you may be cutting to release anger! I know that i use to cut because the pain I was feeling on the inside I couldn't touch or see but I could see the cut marks and I knew they were real and I knew how to make them better but I also know I sometimes did it for attention. If you want to talk you can e-mail me at [e-mail]

I hope things work out!

Answer 7

Maybe you feel as though it helps the pain go away or the pain of cutting yourself distracts you from whats bothering you. This may be something you don't want to hear but it seems like you should talk to a therapist about this.

Answer 8

I have friends who do the same thing. I don't think it's a stage, I think it's a real problem. The scars do stay with you for a long time.

Answer 9

i swear like almost alot of people cut themselves because they're going through something,depressed,wish you could be dead, or something pointless like to get attention or its seems cool i want to be emo and that. its ok to do that but theres alot of things better than just cutting yourself just relax.

Answer 10

hey hun,

i no exactly how it goes. im only 13 and im already cutting myself.
my friends decided to tell someone. at first i REALLY hated them then slowly things started to get better. it didnt last for long though. however since i ended up going to see someone, i knew how to cope better with everything.

what annoys me most though is those people who always think you're doing it for attention. not everyone is like that. im not for sure. i tried to hide it.

i have learnt one thing though. scars dont go. they are on you for the rest of you're life. they're always there to remind you of your past. is that what you want??

breaking the truth to you i know that things aren't suddenly going to get better but going to see someone is the first step to improvment. i'm still seeing someone. i still get depressed but i dont cut my self half as much as before. as much as i hate therapy (it makes me feel like im some messed up physco) i have to admit it helps.

you need to speak out. please.

im here if you need me. email me if you want.
you have my heart and understanding.
xxxooxxx <3