a friend of mine had a friend who recently started doing it. We think its gross to cut your wrists/legs for no reason... why do people do it?
2006-12-07 07:36:41 · 10 answers · asked by itsALICE! 3 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Some people do it for attention, because if they really wanted to kill themselves, they would.
For others they really have mental health issues.
2006-12-07 07:39:52 · answer #1 · answered by Yeah. 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cutting is way more common than you realize. Most people don't do it for attention. It is a real and serious problem and ignoring it or telling them that its gross is the worst possible thing you can do. Cutters get overloaded with stress and depression just like everyone else but they don't always know how to deal with it. So, to release all the crap inside, they cut themselves. Focusing on the pain or the blood helps them let go of all the negative emotions. Some feel like the bad stuff is running out of them with the blood. Some feel like they are disappointing their family and friends and want to punish themselves. For whatever reason, it helps them feel better and it is not an attempt to kill themselves. They are trying to live. They are trying to let the pain out.
If you know a cutter you should tell them that you care about them and that they should get help NOW. The best thing you can do is not be freaked out and be there becasue it can be scary when people know your secret. Your school counselor or nurse will know what to do and there are many great web-sites that can offer tips. Cutters usually relapse and tehy need to know that you aren't gonna be mad at them.
There are many things that cutters can do instead of cutting. Some people try sticking their hands in ice instead of cutting or holding ice in their fist. You can even add red food coloring to simulate blood. Your friend can put a rubber band around her wrist and "pop" it when she wants to cut. Writing in a journal helps, listening to happy music and many other things.
2006-12-07 08:33:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe there should be at least one answer to this question from someone who has both taken psychology classes for a proffesional degree and has cut.
Most cutters that people see are kids that either saw someone doing it or saw it on t.v., they do it because it is a fad and in doing so they mock those who cut to releive their mental anguish.
Cutter's cut because physical pain is sooooooooo much less than the mental pain they feel.
Some cut because they can't feel anything. The only thing they can feel is the blade on their skin. It is a scary thing not to be able to feel love or hate or hunger or joy etc.
All cutters need understanding and people that give them healthy and supportive friendship and the confidence to change themselves. They do not need ignorant people putting them down any further than life already has.
Cutting is not gross and disgusting and should not be talked about using a kindergarten vocabulary. It is a serious personal social and physcological issue and needs to be discussed as such.
It would surprise you to know that many cultures having ritual slicings of the skin.
Many of our own special operations soldiers will not return their knife to its sheath with out first blooding it on their forearm. It is a sign of respect to the weapon. Are these men who fight and die for you gross and disgusting? Or maybe they just come from a different veiwpoint and we need to be open minded...
2006-12-07 08:16:04 · answer #3 · answered by mysacryfice 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IMHO, "cutters" generally aren't doing it for attention: there are sooooo many other ways to get attention that hurt less.
Harming oneself is usually a sign of physical, mental and/or emotional abuse. Self-harm is not a sign of suicidal thoughts. Rather, the act of harming oneself can be, among other things, self-punishment out of shame for some perceived crime or sin. It can also be an attempt to end feelings of numbness (emotional or physical). Obviously, these acts of self-harm do not truly accomplish what the self-abuser hopes it will, at least in any long-term way. At minimum, there are always more effective alternatives to self-harm if one wants to accomplish something.
2006-12-07 07:58:09 · answer #4 · answered by Dave of the Hill People 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Physical pain distracts mental pain. For some mutilating is a form of punishment for a wrong they have done. It may also be they are just masochistic and enjoy pain. People usually do not do it for no reason.
If they are showing it off like badges they may just think it's "cool" to be messed up which is very childish.
2006-12-07 08:04:32 · answer #5 · answered by obscure 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basically, there is no telling there are alot of reasons.
1: to uncause stress
2: people say its the new "it" thing
3: drugs make them go crazy
4: unhappy with there life
2006-12-07 07:59:19 · answer #6 · answered by baby k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people who cut their self are phsically and verbally abused. Maybe you need to talk to her. Or maybe tell a parent or adult to get herself some help. I hope this help.
2006-12-07 07:40:43 · answer #7 · answered by BeauTEE_ful 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People cut themselves because they're depressed and it's a way to make them feel 'relieved.' Don't ask me how. It just does.
2006-12-07 07:39:39 · answer #8 · answered by Hannah 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
physical pain destacts the mntal pain it is not because they want attention its becasue they dont know how else to make them feel better
2006-12-07 08:25:27 · answer #9 · answered by murphy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
none of your buisness.
2006-12-07 08:53:02 · answer #10 · answered by Sporkzilla 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋