People who are not into self destructive behaviors do not understand the drives and the 'reasons' behind the behaviors. They assume 'a cry for help', because then they can feel somewhat better trying to answer that 'cry for help'. If they understood that the act relieves the pain (is the help itself) it most likely would drive them insane if they thought about it for any decent length of time. For people who have been there, done that they will empathize with you and tell you (most likely) that they two found relief in cutting (or whatever their action of choice was, there are many) and they did not understand why. Most likely this will be a life long struggle for you, however there is help to deal with the problems that result in your needed to 'relieve the pressure'. Is there something wrong. Yes, I'm afraid so. What that something is for you I do not know. That will require working with a professional therapist who can help you to figure that one out. I suggest you seek out professional help, the longer you continue these sorts of behaviors the worse things get. In cases of cutting more cutting is needed to get the same 'relief' the longer the cutting takes place. For drug addicts its more drug, for alcoholics is more alcohol - this is a semi-addictive disorder mixed with self destructive issues most likely caused by self image images, mixed with a large dose of emotional 'problems' ranging from not being able to 'feel' emotions to not knowing healthy ways to relief negative emotions (sadness, anger, grief, etc). That last is usually caused by issues in ones life where one has not had the chance to learn how to cope with emotions. Those copings skills are skills, we learn how to deal with our emotions, we are not born with that knowledge.

Yes, I've done stuff like cut myself and burn myself and it is to try and distract from pain of rejection, grief, etc. I'm not too good at identifying emotions and much less in expressing them. Some people have reacted badly and if they are judgemental like saying I was using emotional blackmail, then that didn't help one bit. I don't trust therapists so much because some of them were the judgemental people but now I see that I probably didn't explain myself too well - mainly because I was unable to. I also have a disability which affects being able to verbalise and interpret feelings and it has only been a few years since I got an official diagnosis. Even then, there is barely anybody who has the experience in dealing with clients with an autistic spectrum disorder. From what I read, self-harm isn't exactly rare in people with autistic spectrum disorders but there are plenty of other reasons a person may self harm. The important thing to realise is you aren't alone and there are some people who will understand. I thought the first reply was very well expressed. I find it easier to say things in writing than in speech.

no there isn't anything wrong with you. I used to cut to relieve stress. This last week I lost control of eveything in my life so I started cutting again. Just so i could have a LITTLE control over at least 1 aspect of m life. People that have never been cutters have NO idea and have no business judging you. I think its ok and done at times, like with me this week, that I NEED to relieve the stress and have control of my lifel

I cut myself all the time. I do it until i bleed. I do it to stop the pain. I do it to gain some control. I don't hide them anymore, I like to see how low i am. I don't want to be fat, ugly and unloved anymore but that is me, and so is cutting. It's part of my life.

Yes. You need a shrink.

If it weren't for attention, you wouldn't bring it up in an online forum.

Of course there's something wrong with you. But if you don't want to listen to people, why bring it up here? Go see a shrink.

Seven people have answered before me. THREE of them say they cut themselves now or in the past. I find this absolutely bizarre. Yes, there is something wrong. Get help, all of you who say 'others don't understand'. You seem to be the ones who don't get it!

Yes it is for attention and yes something is wrong with you.

You have depression, i self harmed for years, im better now tho, you need to find new ways to channel your upset, try putting an elestic band round your wrist (not to tight) and when you feel like you want to hurt your self ping it instead, you still release your pain but without the scars! its hard for people to understand self harm unless you have been there and it is difficult, its an illness and you do get better im walking evidence!! good luck. go to your dr's aswell and seek help.

posted from a previous answer: http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/2020894 "i cut myself for over six years and even once in a while i still fail and cut it's unhealthy i hope you realize that. i understand the need to cut, but honestly, you CAN step above that need. it takes strength. talk to somebody who understands it. you probably are going to hate a lot of the "withdrawal" time - i really had a hard time dealing with it. i probably should've told a psychologist, but i didn't i probably should've told somebody when i started i probably should've done a lot of things to stop it before it came to a 6 year addiction but i didn't and it was hell trying to stop take it as a sign from your body that you're hurting yourself too much for the emotional pain that you have. you need to start addressing the causes of your emotional pain[s] because this isn't worth your life. please if you need to get some mental help there is absolutely no shame in asking i hope you can understand what i'm saying and i hope you get past your hurts. all the best"

You bet there is. You need to go to a doctor and get that mental problem under control. Liking pain is a mental disorder. Get help for yourself. Love yourself enough to get help. The doctor can find help for you that will enable you to find happiness is other ways that are not self destructive. You are major depressed and must realize it and go for help before you go too far and maybe kill yourself. Go get help and do it now. For your self do it and do it now.

No there is nothing wrong with you. Clearly when you are upset the feelings are overwhelming & you've found that by cutting you can deal with the emotional pain. I would strongly recommend seeking help from preferably a Psychologist who will listen to you and help you developed different coping strategies for dealing with the emotions you are feeling. This is a very common thing that you're doing & chances are you already know someone who is also cutting. Oh yeh, keep away from Psychiatrists, they will prescribe you medication & wont deal with the actual issue.