Why is it that most cutters are women?

Question

I am sure that men do it too, but I have never heard of or seen one. I have met plenty of women that do it, but no men... any answers?

Answer 1

There's a marked difference in how men and women deal with depression, insecurity and anger.

Women like direct their negative feelings inward towards themselves. That's why they do things like cut or have problems with disordered eating.

Men on the other hand are more likely to direct their negativity outward, which is why they bully other people, or as a more extreme example lash out in attacks like at Virginia Tech.

There is overlap. Some women externalize their anger, and some men internalize theirs. The real lesson is to identify the people who have these kinds of problems and get them help from a therapist or otherwise trained professional.

As for men who cut themselves, look up the name "Richey James" and "Manic Street Preachers 4Real." Google image search, if you dare...

THANK YOU lost_but_not_hopeless :) Much appreciated!

VIOLET, b-endorphins are also released during sex and vigorous exercise. The idea is, people who need this kind of help need to be directed towards more constructive forms of release like exercise, yoga, meditation, social interaction, art, etc.

Answer 2

That first answer is really great :)
I didn't have the most supportive of parents as a kid.. I was taught from a very young age to never express my emotions. Punching pillows didn't work for me. I was a very shy boy with no social outlets to vent my frustrations. Very few people could understand me because I could never trust them enough to give them a chance. There was no internet in those days. So, now I wear long sleeves and bow my head in public to avoid all those awkward questions and ignorant comments that would come my way. I grew up and figured it all out eventually. I still have a million issues, but that is one that I have outgrown. So, now you have met one.
I think guys, in general, find other ways to deal with things.. they go out and do something to work off their emotions. Shoot squirrels with a pellet gun. Throw rocks for 3 hours straight into an empty lake. Jump on their bike or in their car and ride or drive it off.. they find a physical outlet for their emotional distress. Sometimes it is healthy, sometimes it is not. Girls with self abuse issues are typically very isolated from the world. They sometimes don't have the ability to get away as much. Overprotective parents, or nowhere they can go. The only alternative is to sit in their room and dwell on things until they work themselves into a mental frenzy.
It is all really sad. Having nobody there to talk to, and lacking the self confidence to do anything about it.

Answer 3

because a lot of women -when in pain and in need of release - will habitually turn their pain in on themselves whereas most men will turn it out to others

Answer 4

because women generally have lower amounts of beta-endorphins in their system than men, and self-harm releases that chemical.
http://www.recoverfromdepression.com/betaendorphins.htm

Answer 5

Gumdrop said it all babe, listen to her!

Answer 6

because they think that no one likes them and they are worthless