How do people feel about self injury?

Question

So what are your feelings about self injury; cutting, hitting, burning, etc.? Be honest.

No, feel free to be honest. (Katherine.)
I'm not looking for anything sugar coated.

I'm a cutter, have been for years. I've kept it completely to myself, and in that I've lost all other perspectives. I don't want help.

Answer 1

I understand it. Its a way of externalizing your inner emotions that include frustration, sadness, despair, or anger. It is a coping mechanism. I wouldn't recommend it, but I understand why people do it.

Answer 2

I used to cut myself about 8 years ago. I would say a line from the movie 28 Days sums up exactly how it was for me...

Sandra Bullock: "Why do you do it?"
Azure Skye: "Because it feels better."
SB: "Than what?"
AS: "Everything else."

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two days ago. I should have went to therapy back when I was doing these types of things, but I was young(er) and didn't see the big deal. Now I realize how bad a place I was in, mentally. I'm glad I'm figuring things out while I'm still young rather than going through all of this when I'm 50 with a family - realizing I've been living a life I never intended/wanted to live.

I think you should go to therapy. I know you don't think it's a problem and all, but deep down I think you know you'd rather be doing more productive things with your time. Don't feel negative about therapy either... in my opinion every single person I know or have come across could use it for some reason or another. It's there for everyone to work out their issues, not just certified crazy people like me.

Oh, and by the way, there's no such thing as 'normal'. I could have used that piece of info a long time ago.

Answer 3

There is no actual injury taking place.

The individual is working out a philosophical problem through physical expression. There is a corresponding belief that consciousness is "locked" inside the body, so the personality aims to get in touch with that through physical means. It is rooted in ignorance, since finding the self, which cannot be locked within any corporeal image, must necessarily take place outside of physical means alone.

The opposite to this would be an individual who is obsessed with safety and health. Both, however, subscribe to the same belief - that the physical body is paramount above all. Both are "caught". There is a sense of power, then, as the individual erroneously believes she is "finding the self" through the adverse act of inflicting such extreme acts of health or pain upon the body.

The best path is the middle way.

Answer 4

The question would be how do you feel about self-injury? Are you a cutter? If so, for how long? What made you begin or contemplate self abuse? Are you hiding it or putting it out there to be seen? And what kind of release is obtained when self-abusing? Many people that are self-injurious suffer from low self esteem. Depression and feelings of neglect often come into play. Self abuse can be treated, but sometimes it takes medications and therapy (talking with someone about why this is happening). How do I feel personally about self- abuse? It scares the hell out of me that someone could be so desperate to make such a violent permanent statement about what is going on inside of them. It's frustrating because there is no easy answer to helping someone to stop self injury. When I think of the current generation of self abusers I wonder, based on the sheer numbers of self abusers, who is going to be taking care of things as this population matures and gets into the greater world and the responsibilities that go along with keeping a family, a job, a community going. Because, like it or not, self abuse is a very selfish thing. A self abuser is responding to a situation or feeling with how that situation makes them feel. A sign of emotional wellness and maturity would be to focus on the same situation that causes feelings of self abuse and think about how someone else, someone respected, might feel about that particular situation and how that person might deal with the events. The important thing to remember is that NO ONE is a lost cause. If one keeps looking, keeps trying. self injurious behavior can be limited or minimized. Does that help?

Answer 5

The truth is I feel that it is a disorder all on its own. lets face it the fact is that it stops the mental pain by replacing it with physical pain and for some reason our brains react better to that then to the mental stuff. it is also very addictive and hard to stop. people think its an emo thing but its far more then that. its not about being emotional its about not being able to cope with what is going on in your mind. take care good luck get help

Answer 6

It's a part of my past and hopefully not something I will return to. Although, the thoughts are always there to some extent when stressful situations arise.

Answer 7

complicated: i cut, but not for emotional reasons [anymore]. i think it's not a healthy coping mechanism, but im not going to condemn it unless, obviously, it's out of control

Answer 8

i just think that when ppl d it..it's a form of escapism from the pain they feel

i dont think its a smart thing to do though..there are many other ways to vent out your frustration / anger etc

so in my opinion...the cutting, hitting, burning thing is a major no no

Answer 9

Honestly? Stop it, and talk to someone. You might need to be put on an antidepressant. That would change your world (for the better!) Sunny skies ahead. :)

Answer 10

Can not understand why someone would do something like this.