is it normal to cut your self?
117829
This is not normal behavior and the person that is cutting himself/herself needs professional help as soon as possible.
276798
I went through the same thing, it seems to be a semi-popular trend among teenage girls of this current generation. I helped my ex-girlfriend through her teen years, It was very difficult for me to convince her that she shouldn't kill herself. At one point one of her classmates found out she was cutting herself and she went to the mental hospital. There she learned new ways to hurt herself, how to hide it, how to poison herself. She started doing drugs and cutting herself even more, just to prove a point. While in the Mental Hospital she cut "Sl*T" over and over again onto her chest, covering her entire chest. Only by giving up all of my friends, giving up on my own highschool career and spending almost all my time with her, was I able to convince her that there was more in life.\n\nThat was three years ago, about a year ago she started to feel better and better about herself. She got rid of her old friends(who also are cutters, but good people too) and started hanging around with some spoiled preppy kids. She left me to date some rich brat, but I am just happy that I saved her life.\n\nThe problem comes down to the glorification that a sub-culture that exists places on it. There are websites dedicated to the "Beauty" of cutting and anorexia. This is what influenced my Ex to stop eating and start hurting herself. It destroyed my own life, but thats what friends do.\n\nI would say that the best thing you can do is stand by her side, no matter what happens. Try to help her realize that she is simply taking out her anger on herself instead of on the ones that hurt her. You should also try to get her away from that distructive enviorment as much as you can.\n\nI am suprised at how common and Idenical this problem is, girls who have abusive(verbally or otherwise) family members and are depressed seem to think that cutting themselves will help. I understand the ideas behind it, if I do this to myself it makes them even worse of a person for what they did.\n\nIt is a long and difficult path your friend has ahead of her, and if you choose to help her, it will be difficult for you as well. The only thing I can say is, no matter how much she doubts it, things always get better, its just the truth.
446301
I know where you are at. Self injuring is a way to deal with pain and hurt. It seems easier to deal with the physical pain of cutting than the emotional pain of your hurt. This IS normal, but try to find someone to talk to. I used to cut myself when I was younger. I had a tough childhood and some really rocky relationships with boyfriends. Cutting felt good. I am married now. I do not cut anymore or think about hurting myself. I have a beautiful baby girl who is 10months old. I spoke to counselors and friends. You may not think so now, but they can be so benificial to your healing. \nMy husband knows of my past and of my cutting. My scars are a reminder of what USED to be. I was really depressed. At times when I look at my scars, I wish I hadnt have taken that razor and sliced my beautiful skin. But I did. I did what I did. I talked to my friends and family about my pain and they accepted it. Your friends/family will come around. They are acting that way towards you now because they don't understand. HELP them understand. REACH OUT to someone. I have never met you but I can tell you that EVERYONE is beautiful and unique in their own way. YOU are OK! If you have a family physician, try talking to them. TEll them you are feeling depressed. They maybe able to prescribe something for the chemical imbalance. It's NOT YOUR FAULT that you are depressed. A great majority of the world is depressed. And go figure with all the crap thats going on in the world today.\n\nRemember....ITS NOT YOUR FAULT...and you are NOT a freak!\nTake care...it WILL get better...
346664
you shouldn't cut yourself.\n\nAre you doing it for attention?\n\nIf you're doing it when you're angry, you need to find another way to control your anger.  For example, get a punching bag and go crazy on it (or just a pillow works too).
1024905
what's wrong with talking to yourself? \n\nnothing, its perfectly normal
928240
How do you know if a girl is cutting herself because of her appearance? Or how do you tell if a girl is cutting herself BY her appearance? \n\nEither way, if she is, it's a personal thing. Some people do it for attention, others because of a mental problem, others just for something to do. If you want to know why she is doing it, ask her. Go from there.
765026
I am the same way. I think it is just body type. I have a feeling that you are trim. Ppl who are trimmer or have less body fat on them probably can do the same as you, being that the shoulder blade would be that much more visible on a slimmer body type. It is normal and nothing to worry about. I have seen tons of kids who use to hang out and actually do this sort of thing for fun... just to see who could stick it out the most.
32184
Absolutely not! If I'm only harming myself, and no one else, what is wrong with that?
47313
Cutting your toenails.\n\nPlease, talk to a professional if your considering self-mutilation.
953949
Cutting is an interesting action and one that causes great concern to a parent. I know kids that just outgrew the need.  If you have developedd the skills to cope without cutting yourself, it may be time to develope the skills to discuss this with your parents. You are the most important person to them and they are hovering because they do not want you to hurt yourself - just at the time in your life when you would like more freedom. So work on getting that trust and independence balance back. Start with a chat. But remember, you are not a renter in the house so you will not be ignored - you are a family member and need family interaction too.
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
58930
u shouldnt cut yourself you are putting your health at risk by cutting
366227
Stop cutting it for at least two years. Like I did. It is down to my waist. It has been three years of not cutting it for me. It is NICE.
593284
http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html\n\nCheck this link out.\n\nCalling someone who cuts "emo" or "stupid" doesn't help the situation. Self Cutting is a very serious and real mental illness and not a joke or matter of intelligence. You aren't a LOSER if you are self cutting, you simply need some help and counseling. You need to discover or talk about WHY you are cutting so you can learn ways to avoid the emotions that make you do this to yourself.  When you see someone talking about doing something to themselves, try to be a little more understanding. People with this and other conditions, often cannot help themselves.\n\nExample: There is a woman who has a PHD and is highly intelligent, but also as Asperbers syndrome (high function autism). If she is not watched carefully, she will eat glass. She can't help it. She can't stop it. It is something in her brain that makes her do what she does. Treatment helps with control, but people with these ailments cannot be held at fault for their conditions.\n\nThink of this, what ever has made this young woman cut herself, would you like to go through it? For all you know she survived a traumatic event that would have killed you outright. You just don't know.\n\nI hope that the link helps with the asker of this question and those of you reading it.
859085
Here's a good article about self-harm that may help answer your question.
336418
I really dont know but i do know that it is more common in teens. usuly white males and white females. it can also be cause from other things like mental probs. When a lady over 40 is self mutilating Then she is trying to let out feelings or feel something.woman who are abused are more likely to do this. It is a sighn of very very low self esteam.But so is abuse.Do you think someone is doing this??If so what are you planing on doing?? Is she doing it for releaf or to danger her life?? Is she in a bad relationship??
334643
No you are not weird for doing this. There are, it seems, quite a few people on here who do. The reason most people self harm is because they haven't found a way to self sooth. Like when we were kids and had our favorite blankie or stuffed animal. Some where along the way we forgot how to sooth ourselves in a good way. I believe many people self harm because they lack assertiveness. Being able to tell people how you really feel without feeling guilty or worrying your going to hurt them is important in allowing your feelings out instead of holding them in and hurting yourself. Don't be ashamed of your scars, if they are still there years later, once you have stopped someday, look them and it can be a reminder of where you were and where you will never go again.