Why does someone cut themselves

So I did it once. But then I thought about how lame it was to do something like that to myself for no good reason. Next time they asked I just said, 'no, thanks — it's not for me.

If you have a friend who suggests you try cutting, say what you think. Why get pulled into something you know isn't good for you? There are plenty of other ways to express who you are. Lindsay had been cutting herself for 3 years because of abuse she suffered as a child. She's 16 now and hasn't cut herself in more than a year. There are better ways to deal with troubles than cutting — healthier, long-lasting ways that don't leave a person with emotional and physical scars.

The first step is to get help with the troubles that led to the cutting in the first place. Here are some ideas for doing that:. Although cutting can be a difficult pattern to break, it is possible.

Getting professional help to overcome the problem doesn't mean that a person is weak or crazy. Therapists and counselors are trained to help people discover inner strengths that help them heal. These inner strengths can then be used to cope with life's other problems in a healthy way.

Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Cutting? Why Do People Cut Themselves? How Does Cutting Start? Here are some ideas for doing that: Tell someone. People who have stopped cutting often say the first step is the hardest — admitting to or talking about cutting. But they also say that after they open up about it, they often feel a great sense of relief. Choose someone you trust to talk to at first a parent, school counselor, teacher, coach, doctor, or nurse.

If it's too difficult to bring up the topic in person, write a note. Identify the trouble that's triggering the cutting. Cutting is a way of reacting to emotional tension or pain.

Try to figure out what feelings or situations are causing you to cut. Is it anger? Pressure to be perfect? Relationship trouble? A painful loss or trauma?

Although it can be a challenging habit to break, there are many ways to prevent yourself or others from cutting. Suicide is preventable with the right treatment and support. Learn about the warning signs and risk factors for suicide in this article. We also…. In this article, learn about why some people consider suicide. It also covers what to do if you or a loved one experiences these thoughts.

Although borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder share some similar symptoms, they are different conditions. We take a look at agitated depression, a low mood involving uneasiness and anxiety. Included in this article is detail on diagnosis and stress…. Why do people cut themselves? Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, Ph. Why people do it Warning signs The psychology of self-harm Causes Treatment Ways to help Harming oneself might seem unthinkable, but it is one of the most common mental health issues.

Share on Pinterest A person experiencing depression or anxiety may be at risk of cutting themselves. Warning signs. The psychology of self-harm. Treatment and remedies. While each person cuts for different reasons, there are some common characteristics of the behavior. Clothing and a calm demeanor can easily disguise cutting and other forms of self-injury. Your loved one may be experiencing inner turmoil but none of the pain is evident on her face.

There are warning signs that can help you identify the disease. Once the diagnosis has been established, physicians attempt to gauge the severity of the cutting disorder. A series of interviews with some of the following questions can help identify the severity of the illness and the effectiveness of treatment.

These questions help mental health professionals determine the form of treatment that is best. More severe cases require intense behavioral therapy and psychological evaluation, including hospitalization and the use of medications.

Cutting also increases the risk of developing infection, either from the self-inflicted wounds or from sharing cutting tools. Most cutters do not practice proper hygiene and can contract infectious diseases from contaminated cutting implements.

There are some reports of cutters dying after contracting an infection due to their cutting habits. If a major artery or vein is cut, the individual is at risk of bleeding to death. An NPR article reports that cutting dates back to ancient Greece as a coping mechanism. Researchers also agree that rates of NSSI have increased over the last decade and a half , but studies on the topic are somewhat new and rates are hard to assess. Cutting can also affect younger children. Although Penny hid her own wounds and scars, her daughter began cutting a few years ago at age Movies and television shows may also play a role in the possible increased rate of cutting.

Their portrayals may spread the idea that this is normal behavior. Although she knows everyone who cuts is different, Ariel says shows and movies rarely create an accurate picture of what self-harm is like. The stereotype on film and television depicts a troubled white suburban teen girl crying out for people to notice. This also bothers Flora, 18, who always took precautions to hide her cuts and now her scars. The reasoning behind this, according to an NPR article, is to differentiate self-harm methods like cutting from suicide attempts because the treatments for the two are very different.

This is where therapy can be beneficial and help people working through personal issues to determine what cutting means to them. In the event of an emergency, your local hospital may require an evaluation at a psychiatric emergency room to ensure your safety. Jennifer Chesak is a Nashville-based freelance book editor and writing instructor. Vaginal rejuvenation is an umbrella term for surgical and nonsurgical techniques on the vagina, vulva, clitoris, and pubic mound.

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