why do i cut myself?
Question:
Answers:
OK first of all let me comment that there have been a lot of erroneous answers to this question as well as a lot of unkind ones from folks who obviously have not been there. Be careful when reading through this and don't take the nastiness to heart. If you can weed through the b.s. there are some good responses too.
In answer to your question.
From a scientific (neurophysiological) standpoint, the reason is that painful stimuli trigger release of brain chemicals (endorphins and others) that have a euphoric effect. They bind to the same brain receptors as opium and morphine. Learning theory says that if someone is rewarded for a particular behavior, they are more likely to repeat that behavior. It feels good so you keep doing it.
From a more psychological/experiential point of view, I can offer some other possibilities. The pain of depression is very intangible. You feel helpless because you can't understand why you feel this way or what to do about it. Hurting yourself distracts you from this difficult problem and focuses your attention on a much more tangible one, i.e. ouch - my arm really hurts - why? because I cut it. what to do? stop cutting it (for now anyway.)
You may feel angry at yourself or guilty and feel that you deserve punishment. Once you have hurt yourself, you may find you are able to forgive yourself.
You may be angry or frustrated about other people or situations over which you have no control. Since you can't hurt them, you hurt the only person you have control of, you.
You may (consciously or unconsciously) want to communicate to others about the way you are feeling. Maybe then they will give you the love and attention you feel they have neglected to give before. Maybe they will feel sorry for what they have done to you. Maybe they will take care of you so you don't have to face this alone.
If in fact you have gotten a positive response from others after cutting yourself, then we're back to learning theory. We repeat behaviors that result in things we want.
A likely reason why you cut yourself rather than hurt yourself in some other way is that it is somewhat culturally accepted among American teens and young adults. You probably know, or at least know of, other people who are cutters too. So it's more likely to occur to you to cut yourself as opposed to doing something else.
Contrary to what a lot of people have said here, you shouldn't feel ashamed of this habit. I'm not saying it's good or encouraging you to continue, but it's not the worst thing in the world and it is a sign that you are at least trying to do something to feel better. Cutting is one of several negative behaviors that some people find help relieve their anxiety and/or depression. Other animals also engage in negative behaviors that help relieve their anxiety. In animals, the old solution was to prevent the animal from continuing the behavior. Now behaviorists realize that approach is cruel. The animal is doing it because he needs to - otherwise he will suffer emotionally. To be humane, we need to provide an alternative way to address the emotional pain.
So that's what you need to do too - find a way to relieve your depression without physically harming yourself. (Trust me, the scars are a little embarassing when you're 30 years old and in a position of reponsibility.) The good news is there is a lot more help available now than ever before. There is a wide array of medications and other types of treatments that are highly effective at controlling depression. You can start by talking honestly with your doctor or another adult you trust. You won't feel completely better right away, but gradually you'll improve and eventually I know you will have the strength to give up cutting.
Other Answers:
cause u have no self control; ive been there.u should get help if u dont already have it
because you are stupid. sorry i had to tell you the truth. try getting some counseling instead of coming to this site to ask. just stop doing it
do you get pleasure out of it? You should seek counseling, this could be a form of masochism
pick up a pipe it's a better way to go b/c maybe u think the best way to get rid of all the sadness is by causing pain. and if its starting to get addicitng maybe u need to see a counsler. b/c one day u might be seriously sad and cut deep enough and bleed to death.
when you cut yourself you get a "high" from the endorphins in your body or a temporary relief from whatevers causing your depression. it is addictive and you should stop immediately or could get severly injured or get an infection.
Please get help.soon.You can walk into any police station and ask for this help, and they WILL help you.
because it makes u feel like nothing could be worse than this. things can get very hard, but you shouldn't take it out on yourself. write down how you feel, songs, poetry, journals. artistic expression is a wonderful way to overcome hard times. believe me, i've been what you're going through now.
it also doesn't hurt to talk to someone when your upset. it really does help not to keep things in.
Oh My G.. Ashley, Please tell someone you can count on, an aunt, a friends mom. You need someone to help you figure out what is causing you to do this. Did you suffer a trauma at sometime in your life, are your hurting? There are so many support groups that can help you. I know you probably dont want to hear this now but it may be what you need. Only you can decide if you truly are ready for help. I am assuming you are because you wrote this. I wish I could talk to you.No, I have not cut myeslf but I do 'other' damages..Please, be strong.You are a woman now..You have so many possibilities at your age. b/c it makes the depression easier to deal with..and once you're addicted it's pretty hard to stop.
Because its the only pain you only want to concentrait on insted of the pain you feel inside.
Use ice.
Stick your hands in ice-cold water.
Also honnie..its not a good idea to cut yourself because ive cut myself more than 20 times and i even carved a broken heart on my wrist that my wrist got infected!
And im lucky because now im alright and if i did'nt get help on my wirst honnie i would'nt have an arm anymore!
So you can control yourself but you have to find other ways to release stress, anger, sadness,,any feeling!
So yeah..I recomend you ice.
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