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by anonymos on September 13th, 2006

anonymos

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What are some reasons people cut themselves?

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  • by Anonymous on November 25th, 2006

    Anonymous

    People who are truly self mutilators or cutters USUALLY do not even feel any pain, because they are in a dissociative state and somewhat out of body. This is also referreed to as "splitting" because part of their memories, sensations (pain) thoughts, etc. are separated for a while from their conscious mind.

    They are turning anger and hate and other feelings inward, not unlike a person who kills themselves, but the cutter has more control. They are often called "hesitation marks" because the person has enough control to hesitate and not cut deeply (except sometimes they do by accident hit an artery or large vein and have to have stitches or worse) but deep enough to cause a scar and a reminder.

    This is a serious psyhiatric disorder or symptom of other things such as Borderline Personality Disorder etc, and needs to be addressed by a psychiatrist or other person trained in self mutilative behavior disorders. Medication and cognitive therapy often work as a very good combination to getting this behavior under control. The person can learn healthier, less destructive (and not self destructive) ways to vent their anger and rage instead if they have good help from qualified doctors and therapists.

    Comments

    • I remember it hurting like hell. I guess I was not a true cutter? Thank God I didn't have that disorder, anyway...

      SalientAlien

      by SalientAlien on November 25th, 2006

    • Most of the people I have worked with and known who are cutters with dissociative disorders feel no pain or little pain. I would doubt if you are a true cutter, but only alot of interviwing could determine that. There are people who hurt themselves for other reasons and who do not have BPD or other disorders that can cause the "splitting" of feelings.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on November 25th, 2006

    • Good luck with your work, then, I guess I should consider myself fortunate.

      SalientAlien

      by SalientAlien on November 25th, 2006

    • I feel virtually no pain at all at the time, its when you wake up at 3am stuck to the sheets and have to pull yourself off of them that it hurts! 8o(

      Psyonic

      by Psyonic on November 26th, 2006

    • I hope you have it under control, pain or no pain.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on November 29th, 2006

    • i find this answer extremely intelligent and very helpfull. thumbs up.

      jenniferx

      by jenniferx on November 30th, 2006

    • Thanks jennifer. :) Makes up for all the negative ratings I get when I try to post an intelligent reply but someone takes offense, or thinks it is too "serious" or something. Having lived WITH a woman for three years who had cut herself for about 25 years gave me alot of insight. I also studied about it in college courses I took.

      Anonymous

      by Anonymous on December 2nd, 2006

    • I agree with everyone and thanks for you story and advice.

      amanda_0517

      by amanda_0517 on December 6th, 2006

    • I have always struggled with how to explain what goes on when I get self destructive but you have described it to a T. Thank you.

      Gracin the Strange

      by Gracin the Strange on March 29th, 2007

    • to a T indeed

      justme24

      by justme24 on January 14th, 2009

    • I was A cutter myself I started around the age of 14. I am 29 now. When I have the money & I get that same old urge I end up with a new tattoo or peircing. Everyone who gave an answer or coment so far is right on !

      Ann716

      by Ann716 on February 20th, 2010

    • I am a cutter and some times it it feels it's the best way out.You are right I don't feel the pain when I am cutting.

      amyh3404

      by amyh3404 on May 28th, 2010

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