Why do some people mutilate themselves?

Question

Sometimes they cut their skin and hide it under their clothes to hide the evidence. Why do they do that? Is there a way to prevent them from starting?

Answer 1

Some people cut themselves because they feel emotionally dulled to the world. Feeling physical pain helps them feel something at all. Others cut themselves because they have self-esteem issues about their appearance, and are trying to punish themselves, or modify their appearance. A way to prevent it from beginning is to make sure that a person is emotionally healthy... but that's complex, and if it seems like it may become a problem, I'd suggest you or whoever you're worried about sees a mental health professional. Good luck.

Answer 2

Speaking from experience... people (start out) cutting and/or hurting themselves because sometimes it's the only way they know how to "FEEL."

It's hard to explain, but here is a couple different ways to look at it...

The person is hurting so badly inside. They just want the pain to go away, it's there all the time. So they cut themselves so that they can feel something other the constant aching inside. Sort of as a temporary diversion.

Or they have become so numb. They can't feel joy or pain... nothing matters. When they cut themselves it reminds them they can feel and they are human.

MEDS and therapy ARE neeeeeeeded anytime someone has gotten to this point. These people can come to depend on that feeling and they need to learn there are other ways.

Answer 3

There are several reasons for self mutilation. It basically depends on the person. Some people do it for attention, others do it because they believe that they can't really feel, and others do it to cope with stress or depression. One thing to remember about self mutilation is that it is not suicidal. Many people wrongly believe this, but just because people mutilate themselves does not mean they want to die. In some cases, self mutilation is what keeps them alive.
In order to stop someone from starting, you would need to get them counseling, or take them to a phsychiatrist, because self mutilation is a cry for help. If you are worried that someone is about to start self mutilation, you should talk to them. If they open up to you, you can understand why that individual person wishes to self mutilate, and find help for them.

Answer 4

It's not for attention. I used to do it in times of stress or depression. It's just a way to deal with the emotional pain. I couldn't stand the emotions so I would cut myself to deal with that pain instead. It's very primal. Other's cut themselves for different reasons though so there isn't ONE answer for this question.

Answer 5

it is a coping mechanism. it helps cutters feel as if they have control over at least one thing: their pain. they can choose to make it physical instead of mental. they do it to feel something if they are completely numb. sometimes it just seems hopeless and hurting one's self makes them feel better. Analogies are hard to find but any addiction is similar e.g. drugs, alcohol, caffeine. it is simply an addiction that the body and mind feel they can't live without. to stop this you have to do so early on because it becomes harder and harder to break the habit. also, if you know someone who has started help them stop by providing alternative ways to relieve stress.

Answer 6

Apparently people are depressed or feel emotionally numb so if they cut themselves the pain inside is matched by the pain outside so it feels "right". I've had people who cut tell me that they get a 'rush' and it's from the pain reliving chemicals that are released.

Answer 7

It's a way of copeing - like drinking etc. It's obviously bad for you and people usually turn to self harm as a last resort. You can't stop someone from doing it if they really want to. All you can do is be there for them and suport them. Here's a good website http://www.channel4.com/health/microsites/0-9/4health/mind/wwr_selfharm.html there's loads of info on there. Hope this helps ! x

Answer 8

So many reasons as listed above, coping mechanism is the main one. It is the one thing you have control over, for example people cant hurt you if you do it to yourself, it relieves stress & brings on endorphines (pleasure/pain) it can stop you from going into meltdown & hurting others & it takes therapy to help kick the habit.

Answer 9

It's a sickness.Hard 2 explain.I use 2 cut myself.&,still can't tell u exactly why.Sometimes things in yur life is so out of control.U just want 1 thing that u can control.

Answer 10

no it like someone who does nt eat or somone who drinkds to much

for someone to cut them self it normaly after they have ahd so,e awaful thing happen to them such as rape or beateing from a family member