When and why did cutting of the skin to relieve emotional tension originate?

Question

When and why did cutting of the skin to relieve emotional tension originate?

This only exists in the United States. Some teenagers cut themselves for whatever emotional problems they have. I started cutting when I was in high school and it has become addictive. I may stop for two years, see a psychologist, but it always comes back. Where did the idea of cutting come from? Are there any websites talking about the history.
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Does this happen in other countries also? Did the pressures of our society create this problem?

Answer 1

This does NOT only happen in the US (not sure where you got that info). I read about primitive tribes cutting on themselves when someone would die, it was their way of mourning. Plus there is a story in the Bible of a guy who cut on himself, and they thought he was possessed. Some good books that have some background info on this would be A Bright Red Scream by Marilee Strong and Bodies Under Siege by Armando Favazza.

Answer 2

I assume the origin is very unclear as is the number of people who self injure. It is not something you have to learn or be familiar with to start. Many start at young ages without any knowledge that others have the same problem. This does happen in other countries all over the world. Everyone has different reasons for doing this. The pressures of society do play a large role for some, but for others it might be stress from family, friends, school etc. The stress factors and reasoning are unique for everyone.

Answer 3

No this does not just happen in us people do this all over the world and i do mean all over I'm not sure about its history


i don't think it is completely the pressure of the society as this became known before it was like it is now however our pushing to succeed and be perfect isn't helping also less and less people find it easier to communicate now.

Answer 4

I'm not sure when it first developed - the underlying concept of pain for pleasure (or in this case, physical pain to replace emotional pain) have been around for thousands of years...

And it is definitely not just a (north) american problem - one of the most famous "cutters" in the (modern) world was Princess Diana

Answer 5

I think I remember Freud talking about it, but I'm not sure. I used to cut and I remember how it felt and still have the scars to remind me of what it was like, and how I've overcome it. Good luck.

Answer 6

I guess the idea is that u turn your emotional pain into a symbolic physical pain that will eventually stop hurting.

Answer 7

WARNING;;
Before you make that first cut, remember--
You will find the blood and pain release addictive.
Even though you think you can make a few tiny cuts that aren't deep and will heal easily--

You must stop Cutting yourself look at life with hope and positive thinking clean your pain with happiness not blood and tears there is a better day BUT YOU MUST CREATE THAT DAY ONLY YOU CAN DO THAT NO ONE ELSE, PLEASE STOP CUTTING YOURSELF, PLEASE



They will get deeper.
They will scar.
They will take sometimes months to heal.
And years for the scars to fade.
If you think you can limit the cutting to one area of your body think again.
It will spread when you run out of skin.
Be prepared to withdraw from others and live in a constant state of shame.
Even if you are the most honest person ever to live--
You will find yourself lying to the people you love.
You will jerk back from your friends when they touch you as if their hands were dipped in poison.
You will be terrified that they will feel something under the cloth of your shirt or because it just plain hurts so much to be touched.
Be prepared to get so out of control you fear your next cut because you don't know how bad it will be.
Just wait for 10 cuts to turn into 100.
Be prepared for your entire life to revolve around thinking about cutting--
Cutting and covering up cutting.
And just wait till that first time you cut "too deep."
And you freak out because the blood won't stop...
And you are gasping...
And you feel yourself shaking all over.
You are having a panic attack and you are terrified but you can`t tell anyone.
So you sit there alone...
Praying it will be okay--
Swearing you'll never let it go this far again...
But you will, and further....
Don't worry, you will learn how to take care of your cuts so that you can go deeper and deeper and avoid the ER.
And the better you get at treating your cuts,
The deeper they get.
You will lie to yourself and justify it when you find youself spending 20, 30, or 50 dollars every time you go the pharmacy.
You will feel the flutter of your heartbeat everytime you go to the counter to ring up your order.
Butterfly strips--
3 or 4 different kinds of dressings...
Betadine...
Antibiotic cream...
Medical tape...
Scar reducers...
You will tap your foot impatiently hoping the line will just move and noone will stare at you or wonder why you need all these things.
And at the same time secretly hope someone will notice--
Someone who is standing in line with an armful of the same supplies.
Someone who understands--
But of course that never happens.
Medical supplies won't be the only thing you spend all your money on.
Be prepared to buy a new wardrobe--
Longsleeve shirts in summer colors, bracelets, wristbands, boots...
The list goes on and on.
You will start looking at everyone in a different way.
Scanning their bodies for any signs of SI.
Just hoping that you might meet someone like you so you don't feel so terribly alone.
You wont even think about it,
As your eyes scan their wrists arms.
Hoping, just hoping they will be like you.
But they are not.
You will see their clean arms and feel terribly ashamed and alone.
You will start doing a lot of things alone.
You will always have to wash your laundry in private so no one sees the blood stains on your clothes and towels.
You will always be cleaning up the blood.
Scrubbing your bathroom floor.
Wiping the blood off your keyboard.
You won't be able to make it through a day without cutting.
Next thing you know you are in a public bathroom somewhere breaking open a scab with a sewing needle that you keep in your wallet for emergencies.
When you get really desperate,
Anything will be a cutting tool...
Scissors...a car key...a needle...a paperclip...even a pen.
Doesn't matter what it is if you need to cut bad enough you will find something.
Say goodbye to things you took for granted.
Like wearing shorts or sandals...pedicures...sleevele... tops.
A normal summer day at the beach or in a swimming pool will become a far off memory for you.
Get ready to itch.
Because you will itch and itch.
So much you will look like you have fleas or a skin disease.
You will become an expert on your body as you destroy it carefully.
You will dream about cutting.
You will dream about being exposed.
It will haunt you day and night and take over your life.
You will wish you never made that first cut because while you absolutely hate cutting--
At the same time you love it and can not live without

LISTEN YOU HAVE TO TALK WITH YOUR FAMILY< ONE DAY YOUR GONNA JOKE ABOUT CUTTING BUT YOU"LL NEVER KNOW WHEN YOU WILL< PLEASE LIFE IS SO MUCH BEAUTIFUL EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT GREAT IN TIME, BE PATIENT AND DONT JOKE ABOAT CUTTING IT MAY SOUND LIKE A THREAT BUT THE WORD IS SO MUCH MORE DANGEROUSE THAN IT SOUNDS

Answer 8

No need to resort to such drastic measures ! The best way to relieve emotional tension is to whack your thumb with a 3 lb hammer ................ you`ll forget all about your tension .......... guaranteed .