I don't get this cutting thing...?

Question

I mean, what do people do it for and why? And is it always emo people? Not trying to be prying, but I don't understand. Please, no rude answers. Thank you.

Answer 1

You know how if you pinch your finger and then stub your toe your finger stops hurting because you're just thinking about the more recent injury? Cutting is a lot like that for many people. It provides temporary relief from emotional pain by replacing it with physical pain.

For other people, it's a way to feel anything at all, even if it's just physical pain. Sometimes people deal with overwhelming emotions, especially experienced over a long time, by essentially blocking them out entirely, so they end up feeling numb. Cutting can provide a way to feel something, often to prove to themselves they're still alive.

It can also be a way to feel in control. People might feel like they have no control over their life, or many important aspects of their life, but cutting gives them control over physical pain and over their body.

Others use it as a way to prevent themselves from dissociating. One way that people can deal with powerful emotions, particularly ones that they've been taught they're not allowed to feel (anger, for instance), is to sort of space out. People describe it as being like they're watching from outside their body, they have no control over their actions, and they don't know what they're doing. Inflicting physical injury can be a way for people to bring themselves back to reality when they feel themselves starting to dissociate. I recently read a really good book about a girl who cuts for this reason - if you're interested, it's called The Luckiest Girl in the World, by Steven Levenkron.

Some portion of people cut for attention. These people are definitely the minority, and they may have a really good reason to want attention, but, for obvious reasons, they tend to draw more attention to their cutting than other cutters do, so this is what a lot of people associate with cutting. It's also the easiest to understand for someone who doesn't do it, which is probably another reason that it's what many people think of as the main reason people cut themselves. It's definitely not the case that no one cuts for attention - I know someone who did - but it's a very small portion of cutters that fall into this catagory.

For some people it's a sort of screwed up fashion statement, or something they feel that they're somehow supposed to do. This overlaps a lot with the attention thing, but it's a little different. There are some portion of people, mainly young teens, who think that emo people cut themselves, and people who feel depressed are emo, so if they feel depressed then they're supposed to cut themselves. It can also be sort of physical proof for people that something is wrong or that what they're feeling is real (not necessarily proof for others - it can be to prove it to themselves), even without the emo association but still people who have heard about people cutting themselves and have specific associations of why they do it or who does it. Like with the attention thing, these people are a minority of cutters, but they do exist.

It can also be a way for people to punish themselves for something they feel guilty about (often something that wasn't actually their fault). I think that one probably makes sense without much more explanation.

For some people it can be a way to intentionally disfigure themselves, or make themselves ugly. That's more common with eating disorders (eating either way too little or way too much), but it can sometimes be a reason for cutting as well. This is most common with surivivors of sexual abuse or rape, and the idea is that they can protect themselves from future abuse by making themselves less attractive to potential abusers. I don't think that's a very common reason to cut, but it is one reason people do it.

And no, not all cutters are emo. Most aren't, in fact.

Answer 2

1) People never do it for attention. Anyone who will tell you any different are ignorant and are the reason why so many people do not seek for help. They are too afraid of THAT ignorance and ill given compassion

2) People do not cut because EMO music has influenced them. You can say it all you want, that they want to be cool, but honestly... would anyone stable in mind cut themselves in the first place? The reason why so many 'emo' people do it, is because depressed people flock to music that they can relate the pain to.

3) Everyone cuts for a different reason. Some cut to get out all the tension inside of them. Some do it to actually see the pain, like a token. Some do it to prove the pain, and engrave it so they can use it as markers. Some do it to hide themselves from men or women, by making their bodies ugly, they will not be wanted (many rape/incest people use it this way). Some more do it out of shame, some because of brain chemicals, some depression.

4) Finally, cutting is a maladaptive coping mechanism. It is a way to self soothe. Never look down on anyone who cuts -- it could be your mother, your sister, you brother, your friend, the woman down the street, your teacher, your job employees. It's bigger than you think. Understanding is what is important

Answer 3

I don't get this whole emo thing. It's annoying to say the least. Self-injury is a serious symptom of a psychological disorder. I suffer from BPD which pretty much means that when I am very stressed out or become dissociative, I'll cut. I began cutting when I was 15 years old and have had long periods in which I won't cut at all. I have several visible scars on my forearms and legs. Not very pretty, but I am trying to accept myself as I am trying to overcome this.

Many people cannot understand why we cut and that is okay. There are many things you can't/won't be able to understand in your lifetime, but please, just don't judge us so harshly. We are just human and trying to live. But if you really care and want to understand, there are many websites and books dedicated to explaining what this whole cutting thing is all about. I'd recommend reading memoirs about people who have cut such as Bloodletting by Victoria Leatham and Skin Game by Caroline Kettlewell. Both are excellent reads and will give you insight on this condition.

And um, we don't do it for attention. That is a misconception as well. It's so sad that people who don't understand will right away try to judge.

Answer 4

People who cut are often in deep and severe depressions. many of them are suicidal and often find expression and realease their emotions through cutting. it is a growing problem in teens today. cutting is only one type of self-injury. there are other forms such as burning themselves with cigareetes or lighters.
people not in their shoes often get confused on why they would do such a thing to themselves, but it is the only way they can release their emotions. i have a couple friends who cut. they didn't tell anyone at first and wore long-slevved shirt all year long. one of them recently became somewhat public about it. She told a couple close friends. She has scars, cuts, slices and red skin all over her arms. She has a tarribly hard family life and has had a hard time with the school counselor.
The best thing to do is support the people who cut. it is what they need the most. it may be fritghtening, but it is what needs to be done to help them. many people tell you to tell a trusted adult or teacher, but it could potentially cause the friend to cut more. talk with her or him about why they do it and that you are worried. show them you care than make the reight choice and tell someone if it puts the person in danger.
Cutters often don't feel any pain when they cut. they may even find relief of pain. that is a large reason of why they do it. I hope this has answered your quesions. its okay not to understand. i hope you do now. if you want to learn more, google self injury or cutting. there are many reliable web sites with good information.

Answer 5

Ok i am a cutter. here is why i use cut:
ok i am not sure why i started, but i am 14 and started when i was 13. My dad was probly drunk and i got in this huge fight (ok it wasnt so big for me and him but it may be for other ppl) and went to take a shower and accidently cut my self shaving and it probly helped to see my pain pysically, instead of mentally. I cut because my dad is an alcholic, and he verbally abuses me, and on rare occations some times pysically. I also have 2 learning disiblities, and i am extreamly (like barely talk and only have like 5-6 friends in school) shy. I just started being "emo" (by the way i dress) after i stopped cutting cause i wanted to try something new. No i dont want attension, and when i did cut i use to wear bright colors. My friend cuts cause her life sux and her bf cut and thats were she herd of it and now she doesn't want to stop. My parents know but she refuses to let anyone tell her parents. She is emo, but has been before she started. My other friend burns her self but i have met her family and stuff and she seems to have a pretty good life, so i am not sure why but anything could happen. It is a steryotype that emos cut and all cutters are emo, though in rare occasions this is connected. Lastly, susicide and cutting are not the same thing. just because you cut it doesn't mean u want to kill your self. though on rare occassions they are connected. plese let someone know if you know someone who does this horrible thing! here are some websights on cutting:
http://vinland.org/scamp/institute/dsh.html (this one is not exactly the best websight, and there is a few curses and it is by a cutter)
http://www.teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/cutting_relapse.html
(this one is good if you know some one who has stopped cutting then started again)
http://www.teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/cutting.html (genral cutting information)
http://www.teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/depression.html (depresion)
http://www.teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/suicide.html
(here is one on suicide but dont get suicide and cutting mixed up)
http://www.teenshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/about_cutting.html
(here are some teen cutting strories)
http://www.psyke.org/ (they are most famous for there pictures, unless you really want to know what ppl do them selves i dont suggest this one)
I hoped i helped you!

Answer 6

it's cause we don't feel anything (for most) and also sometimes a control thing. It's almost impossible to explain to someone who has never felt so desperate to feel anything.
We are numb emotionally, take away all emotions...when I cut I don't really feel it until after and then when it starts aching I realize I am still alive, I do feel something, but only physically. If I get upset it helps release my stress, I also dissociate a lot too.
We dont just walk away and slit our wrists most cutters dont do it to kill themselves.
SOME PEOPLE do it for attention, I have known people who have!!! and most of the time it is very easy to see who they are compared to people who use it to cope.

To The Post right above me, thats a very good answer!

Answer 7

Cutting or Slitting ones own wrists is not just emo stereotypes, it is sometimes depressed people and people that are on withdrawl from things like painkillers. When one decides to slit their wrists they feel unhappy or in a very stressy mood. So as a result they perform self harm to themselves because they feel numb or taken away from the world... Cutting, Slitting wrists etc. Upon completing their self injury the person will generally feel a feeling of satisfaction or self control and just feel better about themselves.

Answer 8

Emo people do it because its a fad and they think its cool When in the end they are just glamorizing a psychological disorder. True cutters like I was once do it when the world is dropping a brown biscuit on your forehead almost daily. If I hurt me then I have the upper hand. I got to hurt me first. No one else can hurt me any more than I just hurt myself. It puts the cutter in control of the pain they receive. Instead of realizing they need to stop allowing people to hurt them. They Feel powerless. So you take the blade and make a cut. And say to yourself. I'm in control here they can't even hurt me this bad. All in all if I had it to do over I would have just faced the problems I was having with people that were hurting me. And avoided the Cross shaped scar I carved into my arm. I must add Sassylassy2876 as soon as you take a knife to your body and cut until the blood flows and you feel that burn that you can control just keep your opinion to yourself.. Fact most cutters never reveal they cut. Are you aware of who knows I used to cut. No one. No friend No enemy Only me.. No one I interact with on a daily basis ever found out. As soon as you know what your talking about make a comment. This is a mental Disorder. No matter what anyone says.

Answer 9

People who cut often feel numb emotionally and cut off from the rest of the world. Being able to feel the cuts brings them back and reminds them they're alive. Also what happens is people who are in situations where they don't have much control over their lives and their lives are causing them pain (i.e. bad home life) they cut because it's a pain they can control. Others do it because cutting releases the pain they feel inside by bringing it to the outside--kind of like...emotional pain is so much harder to deal with than physical pain. If they can reduce their emotional pain to physical pain, it's not as hurtful and they can carry it easier.

Answer 10

In people who are depressed, cutting feels good.

The brain releases a natural pain killer (endorphin) when someone feels pain.

I don't know what "emo" means. I used to cut myself when I was a teenager, I'm 50 years old now.

Answer 11

Hi! I'll try not give you a rude answer, but a straight forward one instead.
My friend's daughter cuts herself. The girl says that when she is mad or hurting, cutting herself releases the pain (?). I know, it's a mystery to me too. I think that this particular girl has some emotional problems, and I don't think that she actually cries all that often.
I hope that helps a little.