why do people cut themselves?

Question

My twin cut herself..I just noticed...I know she is a little depressed about a guy she likes, but isn't this a little too far?
And for all of you who are going to say that it's for attention, you're wrong. She goes out of her way to stay invisible to the larger crowd.

Answer 1

to get their minds off somthing, and it;s a way to hide the pain.

Answer 2

It's hard to say why people do it, if you've done it yourself than you kinda know why. I suppose the best answer I can think of would be because they are sad, and they don't know any other way to release that sadness.

I have done it before and my reason for doing it was because I do not yell, or scream or fight with people I am mad at and it just became too much. I felt I had no other option, like it was either this or explode.

I don't do it anymore now and hopefully your twin will stop too. Perhaps you could help her seek therapy?

Answer 3

It isn't for attention. Cutting is a way to physically deal with emotional pain. Even though you might not think that she should be depressed about a guy she likes, everyone handles things differently. Be supportive, talk to her and please tell her that she needs help. If you can't talk with your parents, then see if you can get her to talk to a trusted relative, teacher, counselor, doctor.

Cutting can become very serious -- I lost someone very dear to me because she cut too far one day and ended her life.

Answer 4

When someone has a lot of emotional pain and it feels like it's too much to handle, they cut themselves so that the physical pain can distract their attention from the emotional, which is more painful. It's not for attention because they usually conceal their cut and don't flaunt it around. I hope your sister feels better and that you will be there for her to talk to. Those who cut are taking such a drastic step to reduce the hurt inside that they are more likely to do something irrational such as commit suicide so please see to it that you help her feel better.

Answer 5

People usually have different reasons for doing something like that. Ask her specifically what is wrong, and why she did it, in a calm, casual way, and try to cheer her up. If the two of you are close enough, then it shouldn't take too long before she's back on her feet.

Answer 6

maybe there's more going on than you actually know about. She might suffer from depression and you might not even know it. Most people cut themselves because it's the only pain that they can control. They can't control their emotional pain so they give themselves another pain to focus on. If your sister is cutting herself you should talk to her and also have her see somebody about it. I'm sorry that your sister has to go through this and I'm hoping she gets help soon.

good luck

Answer 7

True self injury is a form of escaping pain, like someone who chooses to drink or do drugs just to escape..

It has nothing to do with your mental abilities (no matter what some say)but your emotional abilities to deal with what ever pain you are feeling. Mentally you know it is the wrong way to deal with pain but your emotions run far deeper than your logical thinking.

Answer 8

Because when people cut themselves most of the time they are doing it because the physical pain takes away from the emotional pain they are feeling inside. (i'm not a cutter, never have been, but my friend is a recovered one.)


(I answered this question a day or two ago and I just checked back to see what other people were saying and I noticed...some people copied me because they're saying excactly what I said and just wording it a little different and their answers are posted after mine. I hate when people do that!!!)

Answer 9

It has nothing to do with attention or OCD, most do it as a release from emotional pain (numbness). And most hide it from others (which is why it is not for attention).

http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/self_injury/site/depression/emotional_stress.htm

Answer 10

It is an obsessive compulsive disorder it manifest it self in many different ways brought by sever emotional distress, depression and the inability to express it or communicate it. She needs your help let her know that you are there for her and talk to your parents and inform them. Ask them to speak to specialist first before they deal with it. That way they will be better prepare to address her. But she does need to some professional help.
Best of luck and god bless.

Answer 11

You should seriously talk to her or take her out somewhere to forget about everything!!! I've never been a cutter but read articles on people who did and they usually say the physical pain of the cutting is greater than the emotional and they forget about the emotional pain. Or it might just feel good. But seriously talk to her!!!