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Why do peole cut themselves?

T

thirtythree

Diamond Member
And what is the best way to treat it? Is it best just to leave the subject alone? It seems like bringing it up just makes them want to do it more.
 
Self mutilation has several facets, I know some of them, but nowhere near all of them.

A common reason is to feel alive through pain. Another is as an attention getter.

Recommend the peep you know who is doing this to get professional help. It can get quite serious and fast.
 
And what is the best way to treat it? Is it best just to leave the subject alone? It seems like bringing it up just makes them want to do it more.
Click to expand...
Probably not a good idea to divulge so much personal information, but I was briefly a "cutter" during my early teens (14-15 ish). It didn't last long, maybe a few months. I just grew out of it or decided it was stupid.

Why? I honestly can't say why. Some kind of fascination, a warped sense of excitement or risk? I have no idea.

To be perfectly honest, I do not see all that much difference - philosophically or otherwise - between the various methods of self-mutilation including the 'accepted' forms. Excessive body piercing and tattooing is just 'prettier' than using a razor blade, but that is about the only difference. Many psychologists have made the parallel.

So when you think of 'cutters', it really shouldn't strike you as so dramatically different than those who run around with a dozen rings and studs hanging from every orifice and protrusion of skin, nor those who plaster themselves with tattoos. If you're not gravely concerned about the psychological well-being of a buddy who is working on his 10th tattoo or scrotum ring, you shouldn't be all that much more concerned about the psychological well-being of a cutter. Same diff.

I certainly do not want to suggest that 'cutting' is just a phase that will pass on its own in all cases. Some will pass, some will not. There are probably a few different underlying psychological factors that cause different people to self-mutilate for different reasons, including those who tattoo and pierce. Some are largely benign, some are very harmful. Some of those factors may resolve on their own, some may persist, or become manifestly worse. You cannot predict or know until it plays out.

Since mine appeared to be a relatively short-lived phase that resolved on its own, I really can't say what the appropriate response should be. Sorry I couldn't answer your question directly.
 
Well I don't know this person in real life so I don't know that there's much I can do. I just met her on some forums and we talk on AIM occasionally. Thanks for the replies .. just trying to understand it a little better. I found this site which I thought explained it well.
 
Originally posted by: notfred
because they're dumbasses.
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Thanks notfred
rolleye.gif
 
Self punishing behavior..similar to the nipple ring tongue stud clit ring crowd. They feel guilty thus the self punishing behavior. Smokers are another bunch of self punishers.
 
Ok this is something of a personal topic to me, I had and have been a "cutter" for more than 3 years now. There is a lot of misinformation on this thread, and I care not to go into it all.

This link has a lot of VERY good information on the topic as well as is a host to a support group for those who self injure, as well as a support group for friends and family of those who self injure.
 
It's a sad subject. I have a friend who cuts herself. She was doing really good after many treatments, but lapsed into it within the past month. Please do not delay on getting them the help they need.
 
I went through a cutter phase too. It was all part of a "am I really alive" type reality check.
 
My ex was a cutter after we broke up. sadly i think she was beforehand. But she tried to use it to try to get us back together. Glad i got out of that relationship
 
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