what do I do if I find out that a friend is cuting herself?

Answer 1

okay, i've been in your friend's situation and i can tell you what i wanted when i was there from my friend. i use to cut myself because i just couldn't handle anything anymore. i hated life and saw no reason to live. everything was so overwhelming and it felt like so much sadness and pain was just building up inside of me that it really felt like just a release when i picked up a knife or a boxcutter or safety pin or whatever i could find. it literally felt like i was filling with "steam" and i had to let it out somehow. like a teakettle or something. i only had one friend that i was really close to and one day i just broke down and told her how i just couldn't take living anymore. i just wanted to talk and hoped that maybe it would help relieve some pain instead of my relieving it in harmful ways. it did help. just talk to your friend, be there for her. my friend threatened to tell my mother and i did get mad. i didnt feel like it was anyone else's business and i live on my own anyway. i told her not to and it did affect our friendship because we both got mad at each other. when i confided in her i didn't want her to run and tell someone, i wanted to talk to her! i wanted someone to be there just to talk about everyday stuff, about life, feelings, anything that needed to be talked about because whenever i had someone to talk to i wasnt hurting myself! talking is another way of venting, and a much safer way! i didnt want to talk to my family or a counselor or therapist or someone i didnt know! i wanted to talk to my best friend who knew me and who i trusted. to me, that's the best therapy i had! i don't know if not telling someone else was the right thing to do, especially in your situation, especially once being from your friends point of view. if the roles were reversed on me then i'm sure i would be questioning whether to tell someone because i wouldnt know what to do! whatever you decide to do just talk to her alot about her feelings. and if you do decide to get help from somewhere else most likely she will get mad at you, i got mad at my friend for even thinking about it! but don' get mad back at her for being mad at you.just keep telling her that you do care about her and want her to be healthy . like i said before, having a friend there to talk to was the best way i got better.

Answer 2

Cutting is a tough subject to tackle... and it is increasingly more and more tough because many people do it for attention.

Psychological disorders can lead people to inflict harm on themselves outside of their own logical control...

But when people want attention, sometimes they pick up bad habits.

Please look at the source I've posted... it is a sort of long read, but it will show you that "cutting" is not all that uncommon, and that a lot of people do it.

What to do: When I have friends that exhibit this behavior, I try to have a conversation with them about it, and ask them to maybe write a journal entry when they feel like they should cut... then I ask them if I could read it so that they know that someone is actually interested in them and wants to help.

You could also do some things like take up some physical activities that divert attention or hobbies that get the mind away from such things. Listening to emotionally charged or sad music is NOT likely to be a good way to deal with that, so, any opportunity you have to pull them from that scene may help them.

I hope this helps.

Answer 3

Cutting is a very serious problem that is often related to severe depression, mental illness, or even suicide. It is good that you are asking this. You don't say how old you or your friend are, though. I am going to assume, first, that you are under 18. If that is the case, you should talk to your parents about it, or a teacher at school. It is an adult's responsibility (like a school teacher) to talk to your friend's parents about it, and it is ultimately the parents' responsibility to do something about it (hopefully take her to the doctor).

If you and your friend are adults, you need to sit down and talk to her about this. Explain to her that it isn't normal or safe, and that you want her to get help. Ask her to talk to her doctor about it right away. If she will not listen, talk to other friends and see if they will talk to her, too. You cannot make her do it, but you must get her to see what potential harm she may come to. DON'T try to do this by yourself if you are NOT an adult!!

Your friend really needs some help. It is wonderful that she has a friend like you that cares. Be her friend. Treat her with kindness. Encourage her to get better. And let someone know who can help right away. Good luck!

Answer 4

You do need to ask her why she is doing this to herself. Ask her what is bothering her? Be her friend, ask questions: When did she start cutting, isn't she afraid of cutting herself to the point that she dies? Something troubles your dear friend. This is a difficult position you are in and I believe you need to approach a family member (without them selling you out to your friend) if you don't feel comfortable about approaching her parents, maybe a boyfriend or her guidance counselor at school? I hope that your friend appreciates YOU!

Answer 5

All you can do is be a friend... and talk with her because she probably thinks she's alone in the world.. I had a friend who was like that but I dont want to tell you the outcome tho its not a very good one.
So just be a good friend you don't have to keep a clock on her 24.7, just be there when she needs some1 2 talk 2.Thats all you can really do.
Let her know she's got you as a friend and that she isnt alone in this world...And let her parents know

Answer 6

Theres not really a whole lot you could do to help her. My friend used to cut herself. all the time. The only thing you could do, is tell her parents or counselor or something. Lots of kids do it for attention. They wont actually hurt themselves. They most likely just want you to get to notice them or something. But the best thing to do is tell someone.

Answer 7

First of all talk to her tell her you'll willing to help her with what's going on to make her think she need to cut her self.

If you can't get her to open up then you have to ask yourself if it were you what would you want her to do for you? Go tell her mother or father they need to get her to see someone right away; that's might end your friendship, but it worth it if it saves her life. But make sure you tell her your going to be there for her no matter what.

Good luck and help you friend no matter what you do, this is what a good friend is for.

Take Care and keep on smiling :-)

Answer 8

Tell someone! don't just sit there and let it happen! Would you rather your friend be mad at you or would you rather your friend dead. I've been put into this sisuation many of times. Find some way to contact someone who can do something about it and tell them not to say your name b/c they can't tell that person the name. Good luck i know this is a tough sisuation but wouldn't you rather your friend be alive then dead?

Answer 9

Try to talk to her about it. let her know that you care about her and that you are concerned.....ask her if she wants to talk about what is going on. IF she doesn't then let her know that when she is ready you will there. IF you think it is totally out of control then you need to speak with a counselor and let them handle it. I use to be a cutter myself but my boyfriend found out so I qiute b/c I was ashamed....but the feeling of wanting to do it is there every day....so just make sure that you let her know that you are always there for her no matter what.

Answer 10

Get an adult to intervene. she is a danger to herself and come to very serious harm if some one does not step in. Take it as a cry for help.

Answer 11

Ask your friend what is troubling her so much that she's feeling so much pain that she needs to cut to let that pain out....I would suggest she speak to a counsellor as that is a Cry for help emotionally* This is not a game...she's quite depressed and needs help*