Why does cutting myself help me feel better??

Question

I only do it occasionally, like when something bad happens to me...one time I got a knife instead of scissors and I cut myself really deep, and I didn't realize at the time, and then it took two 1/2 months to heal up and I still have a scar (I lied and said my cat scratched me on accident). How can I stop and why does it help me feel better????

Answer 1

Why it seems to help depends on the person. For some people, it's just something about a physical way of expressing emotional pain. For others, it's an unexplainable release. I've also heard people say that it levels them out when they're in the extremes of the emotion. I've done it before too, and I can't quite pinpoint why it made me feel better--but you probably have also noticed you only feel better temporarily.

The best way to stop is easier said than done: Find another way of venting. For me, that's always been music--no matter what is wrong, music seems to make me feel better. Whatever it is that you love most, just go out and do it. Music, sports, art, dance, whatever. Excercise helps too. If the weather is nice, go for a fast paced walk, or get some other form of excercise. Beat the crap out of a pillow. Whatever emotion you're experiencing, find another way to vent it where you won't hurt yourself or anyone else. Like I said, it's easier said than done, but it will work.

If all else fails, find a friend and just rant, scream, cry, vent, whatever. Hell, if your friends don't want to listen to it, email me and I will, because I've been there and I know what it's like.

I hope things look up for you. Cutting is a tough thing to go through, but I'm sure you'll be okay. :)

Answer 2

you need professional help. I'm not saying that as an insult or as a bad thing. admitting that it's a problem is a HUGE step that you should be congratulated on. it makes you feel better because it takes your mind off of the emotional pain and puts it on the physical which doesnt' hurt as much and physical pain goes away much more quickley than emotional pain. i am a former cutter and it's hard to stop, but i think it's harder to admit to people that you have a problem. do you have a parent you can talk to that will help you find a support group or can you go to a teacher or guidance counselor or something?

you can find some support groups on line but you really need in person face to face help my dear. I do feel for you and i hope you can overcome this. i know it is so so so hard but you have done the hardest part by coming here and asking for help.

good luck.

Answer 3

read the previous posted question right before this. it all has to do with endorphine addiction. i explained it all.

EDIT***** **** I'll just post it on here people are ignorant with there ideas. Go learn about psychology people!!!!

HERES WHY: endorphins are there to make it so you don't feel the pain of a serious injury so you can get to safety etc. they only last until that point... then you feel the pain. it came with our evolution. like my psych. teacher told my class a story about her son's friend on a hockey team. he got checked and his foot twisted all the way to the opposite side. it didnt hurt for quite awhile and he actually had a HIGH from the endorphines that were released. same thing goes for some runners they get a runners high and they keep going and going... until a race is over. once that race is over they collapse. again this is all from evolution. the cutting phenomna is similar too that of someone who is addicted to getting tattoos. when done often it causes the human brain to become addicted to the release of endorphines. cutting is a serious problem get some help if you in fact are cutting.

Answer 4

I honestly dont know why pain feels good. Possibly you are depressed or unstable and you dont even know it. Most people would be in quite a lot of pain so I cannot understand how you are not. It's not exactly good for you but self-harm is called that for a reason. Its harming you! Despite you cleaning it that does not guarantee anything, also scars on wrists cause general uneasiness among your peers and not to mention your parents. It just sounds like a habit that stemmed from, as you said, depression and has moved on with you. My suggestion: stop, if it is from a dark, unhappy time in your life, dont relive it. That will do you no good.

Answer 5

First of all, please get some help immediately. This is a common occurrance among youth. When you cut yourself, your brain releases endorphines (which are hormones that create a natural "high" feeling.) These hormones are what make you feel better. However, they are only a bandaid (for a lack of better words) for as soon as the endorphines are reasborbed into you system and wear off, you are back at square one. It's a vicious cycle, and in the end the cutting doesn't solve the real problem. So please, seek help. Go to a guidance counselor or to your doctor immediately.

Answer 6

please go here... stopcutting.com or stopthecutting.com

my son had the same problem. he now no longer does it. I think why he did it, the way he explained it to me was..." it takes my mind off of whatever it is that is hurting me at the time, and redirects the brain somewhere else,since there is pain involved. and others do it to feel "real"
what ever the case is please try to stop. do something else like write about your feelings in a journal, cut up paper, punch a pillow or take a walk. it will get worse if you do not stop. check out the web site, and remember, the scars are forever. if you can please talk to your parents. my son finally came to me and said "mom please help me, I can't stop" but bu6t he did, got help and we done it together it will be OK. you can overcome this.
hope this helps ya kid. good luck I will pray for you;)

Answer 7

Perhaps you feel like it's the only way you can feel anything. That's what my mom, the psychiatrist in sorts, says about ppl that do that. Maybe you could get counseling or talk to someone you know that will listen to you. Good luck! And plz stop, it just produces scars and doesn't accomplish anything. Peace!

Answer 8

Honestly, because of bad things that have happened to you have caused you to hard your emotions to things that make most people cry or express emotion. sometimes it takes cutting yourself to reach the level of pain that causes you to cry and release whatever is upsetting you. If you learn to deal with everything right then and there, no holding back, say what you fell and leave that emotional baggage with the person who is burdening you. Play your cards face up and by forcing yourself to confront and then most importantly, learn to resolve things and bring that closure that leads to peace and contentment. Remember two things that willl empower you everyday:

1. People only treat you as bad as you let them.

2. You only learn more from failure than success.

It is the bad things in life and how we deal with them that give us character, don't let look at yourself as a victim, take charge and define who you are by your character. Start to look for ways to help others and get your mind in a more productive direction. You are a precious person and it is a cry for help, but you have to find what you are crying for!!
Think about it.......

Answer 9

Perhaps you have been hurt badly in the past and had to block out your emotions. Cutting yourself may be an extreme way to get back some of those feelings, as they say; only pain can make you feel truly alive. Although I sugest masturbating instead of hurting yourself...

Answer 10

Talk to your school counselor or your doctor (unless you feel comfortable asking your parents).
You probably do it because it helps you turn your emotional pain into physical pain. You're not the only person who does it, but you do need to get help immediately.