Why is it so hard to stop cutting yourself once you've started?

Answer 1

SOMEONE needs to show you the light!
You really need JESUS in your life!

Answer 2

Some actions release endorphines in your brain. Anyone who has a hard time to stop cutting, needs to be on an antidepressant which will balance out the chemicals needed to stop the behavior which produces what's lacking. Even a regular doctor can prescribe something for this. there's no need to suffer. There's a simple solution.

Answer 3

find another way to cope with stress. Exercise is a great way to release tension. Figure out what you like and do it. It might be volunteering in a hospital, nursing home or pediatric hospital. Helping other often helps you feel better, gives you a sense of purpose. Make friends. Bonding with others makes us happier. Find something challenging and do it! If you find that you can't stop that behavior on your own, join a help group.

Answer 4

Once you start cutting yourself, you enter a new realm of existance where you are harming yourself.. this is not normal nor natural and often the response is to ignore the feelings of guilt and do it even more! Self loathing can then crepp in very quickly and result in devesting damage after that.. the major damage is done when self-loathing sets in.. prior to that there is a feeling of rebellion about harming yourself.. because in a way you are harming all those people who you once loved each time you do it.. that is until self loathing sets in after which you may fall into a helpless spiral that you will eventually regret..

PLEASE be careful.. there is no reason to ever harm yourself.. and feel free to wirte to me if you want ot chat about it in private.. I'm not a shrink but have had a lot of life experience and also had a lot of friends with major issues.. many of whom died very young.. I don't like seeing young people harm themselves.. it hurts me ot know about it.. because i know what it can lead to..

If you get to the self loathing stage and are really into it.. in those dark moments.. I think you need ot talk to someone who is going ot care.. you'll find a lot of such people here... including myself.. so feel free to reach out.. you have lots of friends here..

Cheers

Answer 5

Because when you cut yourself, you get an endorphin release as your body goes into shock. This is not only a natural pain killer, but also gives one the feeling of happiness. Because of the amount released by cutting, it is in fact identical to taking drugs like marijuana or heroine.
If you started and you want to stop, I will be praying for you. Whether you believe in it or not, at least take comfort in the fact that I care.

Answer 6

From what my best friend tells me (who is a cutter), the release you feel when you first cut your skin is the relief you need right then from the pain. I have two friends-one who is a recovering cutter, and one who currently is-and they both say that. When the object first cuts the skin the release feels so good. Sorta like the flood gates open and pressure releases.

Answer 7

It can be hard to understand why people cut themselves on purpose. Cutting is what experts call an unhealthy coping mechanism. This means that the people who do it have not developed healthy ways of dealing with strong emotions, intense pressure, or upsetting relationship problems.

I hope you are not doing this, if you are, please seek help. go to the link...

Answer 8

Self-injury usually indicates that somewhere during development that person didn't learn good ways of coping with overwhelming feelings or stress. They’re not sick or insane; they just never learned positive ways to deal with feelings and emotions for various reasons. Positive coping skills can be learned at any point in life. People who self-injure can learn to use new and healthier coping mechanisms. This process may take years to develop with the help of a skilled therapist familiar with this condition.

Whatever the context or reason, self-injury seems to function as a coping mechanism. "Cutters" use self-harm to feel calm, "in control," or just to "feel something." However, self-injury is not a healthy coping mechanism - it is a self-destructive behavior that probably reflects deeper, more complicated mental health or personal problems

Some Common Reasons Why People Cut Themselves
These are some of the reasons our readers who "cut" shared with us.

They find it soothing:
To feel pain on the outside instead of the inside
To cope with feelings
To express anger towards themselves
To feel alive and real


A way of communicating what they can't say with words:
To tell people they need help
To get people's attention
To tell people they should be in hospital

An attempt to get people to react to their actions:
To get people to care for them
To make other people feel guilty
To drive people away
To get away from stress and responsibility
To manipulate situations or people

People who self-injure can learn to use new and healthier coping mechanisms. This process may take years to develop. It also is important to get help from a therapist who specialized in self-injury. He or she can help the person figure out what lies behind the urge to cut or injure. New coping mechanisms may include exercising, painting, writing, yoga or dancing instead of hurting oneself. A process that involves self-expression is often helpful. Whatever works as an alternative method of coping with the feelings of anxiety or stress or "numbness" is often a good start toward recovery.


If you hurt yourself intentionally, remember you are not alone. You might think that this behavior makes you a "weird," but you can see from the statistics that it is more common than you thought. Talk to a counselor, therapist or your health care provider, chances are they've helped others with this same problem. Whatever pain or bad experiences underlie your urge to self-injure, a professional can help you to heal, both inside and out.

Answer 9

Sometimes, it kind of feels like it is all you have. Gradually you find it is not always the truth. I hope that things get better for you. x

Answer 10

because you've found a release.