Cutting / Question
Published: October 31, 2006
Dear TeenHealthFX,
Hi. I'm a little confused about people cutting and why they do it. I don't understand how hurting yourself even more would solve anything. But someone told me that hurting yourself on the outside numbs the pain on the inside. But I still don't get it. I would really like an answer. Thanks.
Signed: Confused About Why People Self-Cut
Dear Confused About Why People Self-Cut,
Self-cutting is generally used as a means for coping with emotional distress. Very often people who self-cut get an urge to cut from a particular trigger or stressful event that feels too difficult to cope with. Some teens who engage in self-cutting are feeling depressed, and frequently experience feelings of shame and low self-esteem. Others are prone to more impulsive behaviors, such as drug use. And some are looking to take control of their bodies and be independent. The practice of self-cutting can also be connected to feelings of anger, while for others it may be a cry for help. Many teens who cut often feel unheard by the people in their lives who are closest to them.
While self-cutting is used as a way to cope with negative feelings or problematic situations, there is no question that the practice of self-cutting is psychologically damaging for adolescents. This is because the presence of any kind of self-mutilation usually indicates that the teen has difficulty coping effectively with strong emotions. It is important during adolescence for teens to develop the ability to describe emotions, think about problems, and discuss issues with others. And the presence of self-cutting may be a sign that these abilities have not developed or are not developing as they should be.
Very often people who have never engaged in self-cutting, or never had an urge to self-harm in any way, feel very confused about why people engage in self-cutting, and how the act of self-cutting could possibly be appealing for someone. The idea of self-cutting can be particularly confusing for people who are clear that it is a dysfunctional way of dealing with negative feelings and situations, as dysfunctional behaviors can be both perplexing and unnerving for some people to think about. But hopefully the following information will shed some light on why some people are drawn to self-harm.
- Some people who self-harm use the cutting as a way to dissociate, which basically means separating the mind from feelings that are causing an overwhelming amount of anguish. The person who is cutting is basically tricking the mind into believing the pain felt at the time is caused by the self-injury instead of by the emotional issues they were facing before – so the physical pain basically acts as a distraction from the emotional pain. A person who is easily overwhelmed will look for ways to stop feeling the emotional pain and mental agitation.
- Alternatively, self-cutting may be a way for the person to feel something, even if the sensation is unpleasant and painful. Many people who self-injure describe themselves as generally feeling empty, numb, or detached from life – so the physical pain relieves them from these feelings. In a desire to function more or feel more real, they self-cut as a way to create a sensation and feeling in themselves.
- Some cutters will experience an endorphine-like release so that their experience of pain is altered. The release of beta endorphins into the brain (the same chemicals responsible for the “runner’s high”) can often lead to a reduced feeling of tension and an increased sense of calm.
- Self-injury can also become psychologically addictive – the person doing the self-cutting sees that it works, and so they continues to use this same method of dealing with emotional stress and difficult situations.
- Sometimes self-cutting comes from feeling of self-loathing. For example, if a person grew up with the message that negative emotions should be suppressed or hidden, the tendency to self-harm can come from a sense that there should be some kind of punishment for having these types of strong feelings. Others may come to feel that they are undeserving of feeling good, and therefore look to punish themselves in some way. And people who have a history of physical or emotional abuse may come to feel that they are deserving of being treated in an abusive manner, and then will continue to be abusive to themselves through self-harming.
- For some, self-cutting is connected to issues of control. If a teen is feeling overwhelmed and powerless in dealing with certain life circumstances or stressful events, self-cutting can feel like a way to have more control in their lives because they feel like they are taking control over their bodies. This sense of control over what happens to one’s body can also feel helpful for teens who have had experiences where terrible things happened to their bodies that felt out of their control, such as with sexual or physical abuse.
If you know someone who self-cuts, TeenHealthFX recommends that person to seek out help as soon as possible from a mental health professional. A therapist can work with someone who self-cuts on developing alternate and healthier means of coping with the various stressors and negative emotions that triggers the urges to self-cut.
If you live in northern
You can also contact the Self-Injury Hotline (information only, not a crisis line) at 1-800-DON’T-CUT, 1-800-366-8288.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
It is estimated that major depressive disorder (MDD) affects about 5% of adolescents, and that between 10 - 15% of adolescents have some symptoms of depression at any one time.
