There is so much confusion around the addiction of cutting. It's hard for some people to understand why you, or someone you know, would repeatedly harm themselves on purpose. I want to break through the confusion and help those who practice cutting as a way of life. I've heard a lot of people say, why would anyone do such a thing as purposely cause pain to their bodies? So, let's begin to uncover the reasons why so many people cut themselves.
Most People Cut to Cover an Even Deeper Emotional Pain
As I have talked with hundreds of people that self-harm, one major reason emerges over and over again: Most people cut themselves to try to cope with an even deeper emotional pain. If you or anybody you know is cutting, please understand cutting is a way of covering something much deeper and painful going on inside.
Cover Self-Hate
An anonymous blogger put it this way: I used to cut because I felt like it was the only way to feel something other than the hurt and confusion and self-hate that was driving me insane. I would cut because I hated myself so much that I wanted to tear myself to pieces.
Cover Past Trauma
Most cutters' ability to cope with life is overwhelmed by powerful emotions or extreme pressure that seem too intense to bear. Jenessa said she's been a cutter for 7 years. I was sexually abused by someone very close to me. I started cutting because I always thought that what happened was my fault. I have never gotten over it, so I used to cope with any problem I had by cutting. Taking it out on myself was so much easier than figuring out what to do emotionally.
Can't Express Emotional Pain
When these emotions aren't dealt with, tension builds up. Cutting can feel like a release of this tension. Rachel said cutting is a way for her to deal with her pain: It's an escape from reality. No matter how temporary it is it's a relief to escape all the pain.
Most cutters struggle to express their pain to others. Without the words or outlet to express their emotional pain, they give into a short cut, a destructive physical expression toward themself. Laken said cutting is her first reaction when she feels disappointment or difficulty. When I fail a test, when I get in a fight, when I am called a mean name, or when anything bad happens the first thought is to cut. It is horrible and I always fall back on it.
The physical pain has a calming effect on her more agonizing emotional pain. Cutting is the treating of one pain with another. A cutter's life is one of the choices between one kind of pain or a much greater one. Amy said: It feels good when you have physical pain to take away from your emotional pain.
Avoid Dealing with Deep Feelings
The problem with self-injury as with any addiction, is that by harming yourself you never really are able to confront your deepest feelings. Perhaps that is you. You are using cutting to try to cope with an even deeper emotional pain. It is hard to say no to something that feels so good. But in the end, cutting will fail you every time.
Don't lose hope. There are healthy ways to deal with your emotions and to stop cutting for good. Check out these helpful resources on self-harm from TheHopeLine.
If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, check out TheHopeLine's free eBook.
Hello everyone. I am a cutter. I have been a cutter sense I was seven and I am 45 now. Just recently I cut myself and to be honest it felt good. It's better then trying to commit suicide.
I am 61 yrs old and started cutting this year. I have done it 3 times. Each time is progressively worse. Last night I did a really good job of it. Today I decided to give up alcohol because it has been a precursor to the cutting. Each time I have felt such intense self hatred that cutting was the only distraction or 'release' I could turn to.
Sage, We have a partner that will help you with this at http://www.doorofhope4teens.org. They will help any age to overcome self-harm. Check out their website or email them at doorofhope4teens@gmail.com (answered in 24/48 hrs) You can also text them at 1-803-570-2061 (Alternative No. 914-393-1904) Texting is available Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 – 10:30 EST
I used to cut a while back. I stopped because I found another way to cope with my feelings through smoking. After a while of that, it wasn't really helping anymore and onto of that I wanted to better myself for me and the people around me that cared about me so I stopped. It's months later but everytime something goes downhill I get the urge to cut... As of now it just seems like the entire world and everything and everyone in it are completely against me Andi don't know what to do.. I honestly just want to die.. I don't feel like I'm wanted or belong anywhere.. Cutting just seems like the only solution. Its not a cry out for help or any of the above.. I'm tired of this And I just want out!
Thank you for reaching our for help with cutting and the way you are feeling. It's important that you find help for your urges to self-harm when things go downhill for you. We have a partner that will help you with this at http://www.doorofhope4teens.org . They will help any age to overcome self-harm. Check out their website or email them at doorofhope4teens@gmail.com (answered in 24/48 hrs) You can also text them at 1-803-570-2061 (Alternative No. 914-393-1904) Texting is available Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday 8:30 – 10:30 EST
Hey whats up guys its scarce here
I'm someone who has cut before and let me tell you I had used it as a copping thing for all my emotional problems. The reason why I did it was to cope with losing my friends, stress, anxiety, and never being good enough (in my book at least). I was actually going to cut just last night even because of all the stress put on me. And sense I had no one to talk to I just relied on harm that I have caused. I've found another copping method but my parents got rid of YouTube, my other copping method was music online, so now I only have on method I relied on even if it means I might die. I just don't know how to deal with the 7th (almost 8th) grade life.
TheHopeLine® has an APP you can download for encouragement and we have HopeCoaches online 24/7 to chat with you. Please know that you are not alone and that there is help. A HopeCoach can help you connect with our partner "Door of Hope" which is for people who struggle with self-harm. CLick here to start chatting - https://www.thehopeline.com/gethelp