What is more serious/detrimental/ultimate self harm in your individual opinions; cutting or purging?
2007-02-22 05:59:37 · 16 answers · asked by Leanne C 1 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Deliberate self harm covers many forms, from cutting, hair pulling, inserting, ingesting, to purging, head banging, burning etc.
Any form of deliberate self harm should be taken seriously, as it is often a symptom of an underlying issue. Both methods you ask about are serious but for different reasons:
Cutting: Serious cuts can lead to severe blood loss, even death. Smaller cuts however, can become infected.
Purging: Generally purging is done via induced vomiting. This is itself can cause long term internal damage to the stomach and surrounding areas. It will also cause the rotting of teeth (where the stomach acid is frequently in the mouth). Some individuals will also use laxatives or enemas which can cause further long term problems.
Both of these methods could potentially result in death. If someone purges to the point their body mass is seriously underweight they risk having heart failure. Cutting, for obvious reasons, could also result in death, depending where the cuts are made.
People self harm for a variety of reasons; depression, anxiety, PTSD etc.
Contrary to what most of the ignorant people on here have posted these individuals should not get a grip or whatever. Attitudes like this do not help, and it is people who hold such attitudes that should grow up!
2007-02-22 06:26:30 · answer #1 · answered by Pickle 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Purging would be more serious to me because you can get erosions in the mouth, lips, tongue, esophagus and nearly permanent gastric reflux. Purging can also weaken the gag reflex which is a saftey measure for your own body. I have a friend that used to do this and ended up partially swallowing a fork, but the tines got stuck in the soft palate of her mouth requiring her to be transported to the hospital.
Cutters are usually doing this in an area that doesn't cause major damage and is more a cry for help than an actual suicide attempt, so the cuts are shallow and more like scratches. Yes, this may lead to scarring or keloids, but the only other side affect to the actual cutting would be infection.
2007-02-22 07:25:17 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
self harming is crying for help, and it is pretty sad. I cut my wrist just an hour ago. Ive never done it before, and hope, will never do again. it was scary, but i have to say, it felt good. I had little manicure scissors and when i kept scatching already bleading wound, it felt good.now, i cant almost feel my hand. it hurst quite a lot. I cant explain why i did it, i just felt so frustrated. i didnt want to like kill myself, just to maybe relieve the mental pain im feeling? I dont kno. but what i know is, that i need help with my issues, which are growing up. i think i will never do it again, because i dont wana have scars later on. it is weird, sad and crazy thing, but it felt good.
2007-02-22 06:30:59 · answer #3 · answered by Eli 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both are bad. Purging, you could rupture your esophagas and bleed to death. Cutting, you hit a vein or an artery, severe hemorage. Both come from inside pain that the individual wants to (purge) from their soul. Also they feel that they can't control other forces that brought them to this, they can control what they do to their bodies.
2007-02-22 06:04:35 · answer #4 · answered by dancingqueen312000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Self harm of any form is a mental health issue so get therapy I had problems due to drugs leaving me depressed and know there is a stigma to any mental health problems. I suggest watching the secret a good film on posative mental thinking
2007-02-22 06:05:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Whats purging?
2007-02-22 06:02:18 · answer #6 · answered by CHARISMA 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Leanne,
There is no magic method or prescription pill you can take to heal whatever wounds are causing you to hurt yourself. Time does not heal all. Counseling can be helpful but even that is not a fix all. Leanne, our Savior Jesus Christ took upon Him not only our sins, but our sorrows, pains, and afflictions, "that he may succor us." Get to know Him, and seek His healing. I have been healed by Him. I suggest you read the Bible and The Book of Mormon, more than anything else studying the scriptures is what has helped me come closer to God and be healed by Him. And pray, I know He is listening. For more information I suggest you visit www.lds.org or www.mormon.org, or you can contact me at blakehallock@gmail.com. One of my fovorite pictures of Christ shows him standing at the door, knocking. In the painting there is no handle on his side of the door. He won't force Himself on us, we have to let Him in :)
Best of luck.
2007-02-22 07:04:01 · answer #7 · answered by Blake H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there, i have considered self harm myself, but i also have a friend who used to self harm and is now terribly scarred, i understand it can bring short term relief but with long term consequences. My sister has Bulimia. that rots your teeth and the lining of your gullet, if you do it over a long period of time, your body becomes so starved it starts to feed off your muscles, which includes your heart muscle, if u are at that point, please please seek help, there is help out there. contact me if you want x
2007-02-22 06:07:01 · answer #8 · answered by zbfinlove 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
they are equally harmful, however, cutting can lead to life threatening situations faster due to immediate infections.
2007-02-22 06:04:54 · answer #9 · answered by Darlin1_66 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hurting your self is wrong.It's caused by a weak person with a low self esteem. Stop trying to get attention. Go to the DR, so you can get help
2007-02-22 06:03:29 · answer #10 · answered by Monet 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋