Why do people cut themselves?What does it slove?
108072
According to some people, they cut and inflict outward pain to release the pain inside.
711280
most people associate it with suicide because a lot of people only know cutting as slitting your wrists, the maximum form of cutting on the wrists. most people cant understand how hard it actually is to do that (at ur wrists u hav tendons to go through) and that a lot of cutters dont even go that deep. also, cutting anywhere else is seen as a baby step towards slitting your wrists since it isnt as severe and as common. personally i dont want to stop or get caught so  i cut on my thighs or ribs, it hurts more and gives a better after effect (i can actually feel something!) and since no one sees no one thinks it just attention getting. but when i used to cut on my wrists i did it and didnt let anyone see, if sumeone is seeing and saying things to u then maybe u need to hide it better. i like the feelings i get, becuz i get to feel sumthing rather than nuthing, but if u want to continue cutting and not get sent away i would suggest hiding it better. people cant understand the feelings that mean cutting without suicide and they cant comprehend wanting to cut so they throw it into a suicide attempt, and letting people see can b a call for attention and u dont realize it now. so hide it or consider stopping, but i cant reach since i cut. i just advise u to hide it better and no one will b able to say anything...
661357
Well, for starters, Im not sure that cutting is a sin. The whole "your body is a temple" thing refers to what you put in your body and mind, like things you hear and see which are sinful, and so on. Just my interpretation, Im no expert. As for the act of cutting, I understand this disorder, a friend of mine in high school had it. It is a very dangerous disorder and if they  seriously have this disorder and arent doing it for attention you should offer to help them find a way to seek out help from a professional. You might be able to talk to your school counselor, or another trusted adult. Please seek out help, left untreated this disorder can lead to suicide.
321049
People cut themselves,because no one is hearing anything they have to say.It's to self release the pain of being ignored.I think they secretly hope someone will see the abuse and finally hear their pain.
65869
people off themselves for tons of reasons.\ncuz they feel all hope is lost.\ncuz they feel they cannot deal with the embarassment of whatever.\ncuz they've got a severe chemical imbalance in the brain.\ncuz they've got a terrible disease that is going to cause them so much incredible suffering they'd rather take their death into their own hands.\ncuz they're so frustrated with other humans that they'd sooner off themselves rather than go on a tri-state killing spree.\n\nbasically, because certain aspects of life become so overwhelming that he/she/it cannot deal with it any longer.
128689
Usually someone who cuts herself is doing it to block out other pain in her life.  The pain from the cut is easier to bear than the emotional pain the young person is suffering.  It is hard to understand, but often the cutting actually makes them feel better.  It is an unhealthy way of coping with life.  It is mostly young females who cut themselves.  It is a cry for help, and sometimes a cry for attention.  Dramatic reaction to the cutting can lead to more cutting to get the reaction.  It can be habit forming.  Believe it or not, there are groups among young people who consider it "cool" to cut.\n\nCheck out http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/cutting.html which may give you some ideas.  \n\nAn Internet search about it will give you lots of websites to check out.  YOu may need help to deal with this.  Can you contact a high school guidance counselor for example?  He or she may have lots of information on this topic.\n\nI hope this helps.  Good luck with your work, and God bless.
192711
That depends. Is this a relative, a friend, someone your dating, a child, teen. adult...? Not to be nosy but it really does effect how to do this. If it's a child or teen, tell one of there parents (assuming the parents aren't the reason this kid is cutting themselves) If its someone you go to school with then talk to a counselor. \nI am assuming that this person told you what they are doing and your not just guessing that this is going on. Have you tried talking to this person about seeking professional help. You would be shocked to know how many people hurt themselves and to what extent the damage they cause can go so it is important that in the end they see someone about this. If you are close to this person offer to go to therapy with them if that makes them more comfortable. Do some outside research on the reasons why people do this and ask your friend why they do. A little more info would be handy if you want more precise answers.
229162
people who do it repeatedly, and without seriously wanting to kill themselves, are generally crying out for help, frustrated and are unable to express their self hatred. it does not generally mean they are suicidal. this is more common in feamles than males, and often the result of sexual abuse that leaves them feeling dirty, ashamed and full of self hatred, hence the desire to harm themselves.\n\nmany people who overdose are not intentionall overdosing, just not good at self mediacting, or plain greedy, and often become violent and abusive when ambulance staff revive them.
162068
Cutting yourself is not a good thing to do. I know at the time the inner pain is calmed by the physical pain but it is not the answer. Just think of the scars you'll have for a start. \nYou need to talk to some one about whatever problem you have. Don't bottle it up inside. \nWhen you feel the urge to cut yourself try this instead.\nGet an ice cube. Put it in your hand. Make a very tight fist. Keep squeezing till the urge passes.\nThis may sound like a silly suggestion but it worked for me.\nHope things look a little brighter for you soon petal. x x x
957637
If you seriously suspect cutting, then there may be mental illness involved. You should share your information or suspicions with your mom and dad. If there is mental illness involved, then proper medication and intervention should help.\n\nCertainly, many teenagers go through a period of rebellion. This may manifest itself in hair style, clothing or actions. But cutting is not a sign of healthy rebellion.
1008637
You might not die from cutting.  It's possible you could accidently cut something you didn't know was a major vein or artery.  To those who are less understanding, they don't exactly see why you would want to cut yourself, and for many people it is scary, and creepy.\nI have a different perspective, however.  I haven't cut on myself for at least 2 months (a major victory for me, considering how depressing and sad life has gotten - or has seem to have gotten).  I had in fact made it 2 years without a single incidence of cutting.  That was after coming from cutting 4-5 times a day.  It is difficult.  Something that made a large difference in my life was a place called the Utah Boys Ranch.  Here is a website:  http://boys.westridgeacademy.com/ (and I'm listing it in the sources as well).  It wasn't easy, but living with self-mutilation isn't either.  It is also expensive without insurance, but you can find people who will help you.  I have more memories from there than any other place.  Whataver you do, seek help, especially from God.  God loves all of us, and allowed his son, Jesus Christ, to suffer all or our pains, both of sin and of daily lives.  He suffered all things that ever happened and ever will happen of every person who has ever lived or who will ever live.  'God loved us so he sent his only begotten son; that if we believe on Him [and keep his commandments] we might not perish, but have everlasting life."  You cannot do it on your own; do not reject the help of your family and friends.  Further, don't ignore the help of an Almighty and loving Father in Heaven.  God bless you; you seem more in need than I do.\nOne more thing:  it won't be easy.  Thomas Paine said "What we gain too cheaply, we esteem to lightly."  Feeling good and overcoming is something not to be esteemed lightly.\n\nFurther to comment for some of the answerers on this page, cutting is an addiction worse than alchohol or drugs.  No offensse or anything, but please don't say "Just stop cutting", because it isn't that easy.  It's like saying to a heroine addict "Just stop doing drugs," or to a smoker "Just quit smoking already."  It isn't easy.  I cut myself because I hate myself (that IS the right tense - I still do, although less) and felt I needed to be punished.  I felt somewhat relieved of burden - if only for a while - when I cut myself, because the abuse from my father was being manifested; and to me, the abuse was love.  Hitting me and hurting me was the way I grew up knowing my father loved me.  Saying "Just stop cutting" isn't going to help, and has helped little if not never in this sort of situation.
1048727
People who cut or self-injure sometimes have other mental health problems that contribute to their emotional tension. Cutting is sometimes (but not always) associated with depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, obsessive thinking, or compulsive behaviors. It can also be a sign of mental health problems that cause people to have trouble controlling their impulses or to take unnecessary risks. Some people who cut themselves have problems with drug or alcohol abuse.
123856
Many people who self harm are misunderstood. Obviously your friend needs help and perhaps that is his/her only way of letting people know about it. If you can, convince your friend to take up counselling or let someone who can do something about it know.YOu also hang in there. It must be hard to be close to someone who is hurting.
959318
Everything that has been said so far is amazing, so I won't elaborate much. \nI was emotionally abused as a child, and at the ripe old age of 22 have experienced the spectrum of eating disorders, emotional problems and, of course, medications. As a function of my self-hatred, I began to cut myself a couple years ago. I have since stopped, but still have times where I struggle.\n\nI used cutting as a way to 'come down' from a state of manic anxiety, panic or just emotional pain in general. I definitely recommend getting help through a psychiatrist/psychologist, and embarrassing as you may find it, reach out to anyone that you are close to so that you will have a support system in your time of need. \n\nFrom my experience, I recommend that you try to take the feelings that push you to self-harm and express them another way, that mimics the release of cutting. This may seem silly to some people, but what worked for me was hitting inanimate objects... beating the crap out of my bed, tearing up magazines, etc. Although this does not completely satisfy the urge to cut, it can get out some of the excess adrenaline and frustration that may be fueling your urge in the first place. One other thing that worked for me was to imagine that it was my own child or someone I love who was cutting... to imagine the precious skin and flesh of someone else being mutilated and what a mockery it is of how amazing we are... try to think of your body as your shelter and a precious friend that you want to protect...\n\nI hope this helps... I haven't cut in a long time, and I'm glad that I stopped (even though I still struggle with the same old demons). I look at my scars with a sense of sadness and protectiveness... as a reminder that destroying myself is not productive or beneficial. \n\nAnd always know that you are loved :) Always.
58930
u shouldnt cut yourself you are putting your health at risk by cutting
724735
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/self-injury/DS00775\nSelf-injury/cutting\nIntroduction\n\nFor people who can't fathom deliberately hurting themselves, self-injury may seem shocking and frightening. But for people who do injure themselves by cutting or other means, self-injury offers a momentary sense of calm and a release of tension. Unfortunately, that's usually quickly followed by guilt and shame and the return of other painful emotions. And with self-injury comes the very real possibility of inflicting serious and even fatal injuries.\n\nSelf-injury isn't a specific disease or condition. Rather, it's a type of abnormal behavior. It may accompany a variety of mental disorders, such as depression and borderline personality disorder. Because self-injury is often done on impulse, it's sometimes considered an impulse-control behavior problem. Self-injury is also known as self-harm, self-injurious behavior and self-mutilation.\n\nAlthough it's hard to estimate how many people engage in self-injury because some never seek treatment, it's thought that about 3 percent to 5 percent of Americans have deliberately hurt themselves at some point in their lives. Self-injury may be more common — and on the rise — in adolescents.\nSigns and symptoms\n\nWhat self-injury is and isn't\nSelf-injury is behavior in which people deliberately harm their own bodies in some way to cope with overwhelming emotions. Self-injury frequently is an impulsive act. You may become upset and spontaneously seek a way to hurt yourself, recklessly doing damage to your body. Other times, self-injury may be inflicted in a controlled, methodical manner. You may even plan it in advance, taking steps to avoid detection and to prevent infections.\n\nSelf-injury isn't the same as injury that arises from culturally sanctioned practices in some parts of the world, including scarring, piercing and tattooing, which historically have been considered forms of self-mutilation. Self-injury is distinguished from such practices by the emotional intent behind it — it's an unhealthy coping method for overwhelming feelings.\n\nSelf-injury also isn't the same as a suicide attempt. For instance, someone may try to harm himself or herself by taking an overdose of medication, but stop short of taking a lethal dose. In self-injury, the intent isn't to die, but to inflict bodily harm. However, self-injury can accidentally result in suicide.\n\nTypes of self-injury\nSelf-injury is most commonly associated with cutting, which involves making cuts or scratches on your body. Cutting can be done with any sharp object, including knives, needles, razor blades or even fingernails.\n\nMost frequently, the arms, legs and front of the torso are the targets of self-injury because these areas can be easily reached and easily hidden under clothing. But any area of the body may be subjected to self-injury.\n\nSome people don't feel pain while they're hurting themselves, even when creating deep cuts. Others do find self-injury painful but welcome the pain as a punishment or as a distraction from emotional turmoil.\n\nThere are many types of self-injury besides cutting, and someone may engage in one or more of them. Other types of self-injury include:\n\n    * Burning\n    * Poisoning or overdosing\n    * Scratching\n    * Carving words or symbols on the skin\n    * Breaking bones\n    * Hitting or punching\n    * Piercing the skin with sharp objects\n    * Head banging\n    * Pulling out hair\n    * Interfering with wound healing\n    * Pinching\n    * Biting\n\nSome experts consider overexercising a form of self-injury, as well as stopping medication in an attempt to cause harm to yourself.\n\nSigns of self-injury\nPeople who injure themselves often try to keep their behavior secret. It may be difficult to spot signs of self-injury.\n\nSigns of self-injury may include:\n\n    * Scars, such as from burns or cuts\n    * Cuts, scratches or other
347748
Think about it, you're angry you hit a wall.  Well some people can feel so miserable (and for a good secret reason too) that they feel the need to do so, thus letting all the pain break free.\n\nIt's like a small pain.  Eat candy and you're suddenly better.  Cutting is a destraction of one's life that can be controlled. Not suicide!\n\n\n-Alexis