Is it wrong to inflict physical pain on yourself to numb out the emotional pain?

Question

Like cutting yourself and etc.

my really good friend from school implied that, the only thing i was accomplishing was "numbing out" my emotional pain, by creating physical pain.. like i was trying to destract myself from the real issues.

Answer 1

No, it isn't wrong. It is actually a very common "coping mechanism" especially in young girls. I know from my own personal experience that it does provide short term relief when other means of coping aren't enough. The thing is that is isn't a very constructive way to deal with your problems. But, please don't be ashamed to let someone you know and trust know what you are doing for relief. I have found that talking about the desire to cut can often be as effective as actually cutting. In the end you will need to deal with the underlying issues, but there are lots of different people out there that are familiar with cutting and won't be judgemental when you ask for help. I wish you only the best of luck in getting the help that you deserve!

Answer 2

Only wrong in the sense that you're hurting yourself all the more and not solving the problem. You need to talk out the emotional pain with a friend or someone in your family you trust. You have to get at the root of that and resolve it, so you no longer need to create physical pain. You can spend your whole life creating physical pain and the emotional pain will still be there, waiting for the physical to subside, and still hurting you as much as ever.

Get to the heart of what is causing you emotional pain and try to understand it and free yourself from it. There are online sites where you can talk to others about this sort of thing, if there's no one in your life right now to talk to. A lot of times, a problem seems far worse while it's playing over and over in your head, and becomes a lot less painful after you've talked it out.
It's worth a try.

Answer 3

It's a very short term fix, in that it works for the five minutes or so when the emotional pain's worse, but it doesn't work in the long term, and can get worse, eg cutting deeper and deeper until it causes serious damage. It will also worsen the emotional pain, because the scars that you leave will eventually serve as a further reminder of what caused them. Seek help urgently, this is treatable. See your doctor.

Answer 4

Wrong? Don't know if it's wrong, but I don't think it treats the underlying problem. I've known a lot of folks with seriously scarred up forearms and whatnot... and they were still depressed - this was just their outlet. I think if I was at the point where I was going to start cutting on myself I'd probably see about getting some help - there's lots out there!

Answer 5

Yes! Why cause more pain. Just deal with the pain you have now and get through it. Then you will know not only how to handle that particular situation, you may be able to help someone else with it. Don't treat pain with pain. Would you dry a puddle with milk?

Answer 6

it is not as safe as one would would think. There is the scars and the risk of infection and the emergency room visit for stitches. It is a mental disorder that can be treated with meds that help the urge to cut. Check it out.

Answer 7

"wrong" in what sense? It's not a good idea. It's not safe and there's scarring. I also know that it works and when you're not feeling right it can appear that the pros outweigh the cons.

Answer 8

Of course it is. Scream in a pillow or get a punching bag. If you hurt yourself most of the time you leave a scar and it will be a constant reminder about what you had done and why you did it.

Answer 9

Many people think the only way to heal pain is with positive action. what do you think?

Answer 10

Yes... Very wrong... Never try.