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.
I'm 13 years old and just a few months ago my mom took me to children's hospital for cutting , and they kept me for some days , they put me on medication and they had doctors for me to talk to , I had a roommate and we even had free time ! I think you should take her to be seen because I'm doing a lot better now and I'm so thankful for all their help I was given there PLEASE USE THIS ADVICE
i cut...its not like a habit or anything. its an addiction that controls your brain, your heart, your soul. Just don't lie about it, it may be your artwork, but you lose people in the process. One day it'll be too late.
I cut for the first time today after years of fantasizing about it. It felt so good.. Now I'm so scared that I will continue ..
I'm a 57 year old Gay White Male. About a year ago I was physically attacked in my building's laundry room. I still can't use my left wrist properly, various back pains from the fall, and and anxiety and panic attacks when amongst a lot of people I don't know. I've had a few walking black outs where I last remember myself in a different location and come to walking blocks away from where I remember being. During this time I do not fall, and seem to be in good shape when I come to. The constant anxiety, fear, and terror of dealing with people and not knowing what is going to happen next is near to unbearable. I've recently started cutting myself for reasons that may only make sense to me, as a means of taking control of the pain. And also to have an outward manifestation of the internal pain I feel. I know it doen't make sense, and I try to keep that in mind. They are not major cuts, just temporary lettings of blood, which act as a pressure release on a steam engine. I have a psych appointment set up in six weeks, they can't see me sooner. Just wanted to see what other people have done to control these impulses. Sorry to dump on you. Cheers.
Im 13 and my friend told me that she cuts (like a year ago). She was mobbed in primary school and the relationship with her family isnt that good.. Shes seeing a therapist now and Im really glad about that, but she told me she doesnt want to be happy. She said if she would be happy she wouldnt be herself anymore.. Im really going insane because of that, I could slap her! I know thats not how to deal with it and Im not going to do that, but I always try to help her and than she says she doesnt want to be happy. I alway compfort her as much as I can but she has to be atrong herself!
Aside of that:
To all who cut out there, try to be stong, get help, and tell people how you feel! You can do it! 🙂
(Sorry if my english isnt the best, its because im german xP)