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by YouWinImOuttaHere on May 2nd, 2007
Self harm is only a distraction for a short time to get rid of emotions. After reality sets in things are worse and the person who self harms will only feel worse physically and emotionally. It is counter productive to whatever the real problems are.
Also, I noticed your username. As long as you identify yourself as a cutter or person who does "self harm," that also will keep you stuck in the rut of thinking that self harm is in some way useful or helpful, which it is not.
by Jodie44 on May 2nd, 2007
Just like everyone else here, I'd say that self-harm never helps, except maybe in the very, very, short term. Self-harm isn't really manageable. The underlying feelings aren't simple casual emotions you take out and put on for a few minutes now and then.
Not only will self-harm not help with whatever you're trying to escape from, it will complicate the problem. It will cause needless grief in other areas of your life. Once it gets a foothold in your mind and psyche, self-abuse starts looking a lot like self-destruction.
by Friartuck on May 2nd, 2007
Like a lot of addictive behaviour, it realeases something at the time, but only serves to drive you deeper into your problem.
Like "feel bad, cut myself - feel rush, relief, whatever - then feel guilt and stupidity at doing something so abnormal - feel bad - cut myself......"
by Mr. Meaulnes on May 2nd, 2007
A very good question.
In my experience, although it can seem to help relieve stress or emotional pain, it's not a healthy way to deal with it.
Because it's very easy for Self-Harming to become a crutch, and addictive downward spiral, and although it is technically defined as hurting onself without the intent of killing yourself, it can still be very dangerous.
Hurting yourself can only make the situation worse, not only because of the possibility of leaving lasting injuries or scars, but also because the relief it offers can leave you neglecting the core issues that are driving you to it in the first place.
It's usually best to find a healthier alternative such as going to therapy, or perhaps even anti-depressants, something not so damaging to lean on until you can address the source of the problem, but ultimately you have to solve the core issues.
by rachel. StarsInAPortraitIcecreamInTheSky on May 27th, 2007
it can create the illusion that its helping. i know of programs, and some of my family members that i love have attended it for different reasons, where people can go if they are cutting, or harming themselves in any way, or feeling deprest for whatever reason, that they may or may not be aware of yet..the point though is that there there... nobody likes being there at 1st from what i've heard..which is totally normal cuz who likes to think they have problems right?..but being there is a good thing for someone thats cutting themselves. when you cut yourself..its good to talk to someone about it or write down what may be going on or just plain old ask for help ..they let u guys either talk or not talk in the group at the program..its very interesting.. and its a bunch of kids together in a calm environment that get to have group talk. lots are forced and some choose to go. your there like a couple of hours a week. it will help lead the person to a healther lifestyle and a way to get stuff off there chest if they need to and relate to other people. there are other ways to "cope" as they all say..and its true. its so true. its not easy. we all go through things and in any way shape or form thats positive its best to tell someone because pepole are here to help. its what keeps people going in a sense. sometimes pepole cut when they blame themselves..sometimes for revenge ..sometimes to stop pain..sometiems to do something to make other thinsg go away..sometimes because they want to feel an dont kno what to do. and all of these things can be worked out even if it doesn't feel like they cant..because your feelings dont own you and thats not all you are even if sometimes it feels ast hough theres so much crap .. you own your feelings and create them from your thoughts which somewhat came from your environment which coudl hlep contributed to the person wanting to cut.. which means it is not there fault.but its there thing or problem or however anyonewants to put it to work out with help. i may sound like a bit of a broken record but being someone that has been through a lot and overcome a lot and i'm got to admit a s much as i've wanted to push people away before, it helps to get help heh..in all serious though it does. the program i am speaking of is called ccats, located in danbury...an adolescent treatment program.
~r
by Anonymous on April 3rd, 2009
i think it does both!
helps because it gets all your emotions/anger out .
makes it worse because it dont make anything change.
you just get called names and personally i think it makes things worse.
hope this helps xxxx
if you self harm STOP and get HELP
by imortal on August 1st, 2008
the fear and shame of hiding self harm is worse than the origanal depression
by Seraphim Shinobi on February 15th, 2008
it helps, for about a minute.
by FreeRadical Jetpacking for Nelson on May 28th, 2007
You probably need medication. This isn't about willpower, this is about messed up biology. That is a common misconception. I'm not sure why help is out of the question, unless you're locked up in a basement somewhere. I really do wish you the best, but I'm afraid nobody here can help you if you won't help yourself. I hope it gets better for you!
by FreeRadical Jetpacking for Nelson on May 27th, 2007
Cuttergirl, it's time to get some help. I've been where you are, even very recently. There are drugs that can really help you get through this. They are better than destroying yourself. Do it.
by New Member on May 27th, 2007
It only makes you worse. Trust me, I know.
by Inspector Javert on May 27th, 2007
Listen - if it can stop someone from going over the edge, then I think it can be called good. Also, it adds a HELL of alot more warning signs... so it can act as a tempoary solution, it can help - but that is not to say that it of course, doesn't also do alot of harm, phyiscaly and mentaly in some respects...
by who cares on May 27th, 2007
Makes it worse.
by Patti jo on May 2nd, 2007
Makes it alot WORSE
by Nublet on May 2nd, 2007
In my opinion, self-harm it would only make it worse. Self-harm seems to cause additional harm, rather than the 'substitutional' harm it is supposed to be. Thinking things out logically & reasoning with yourself can often make it better..
by alwayscurious on April 17th, 2009
The self-harm may make someone feel better TEMPORARILY...for whatever reason that it does....but it will only do much harm in the long run. It won't get rid of any problems that the person has.
by Anonymous on April 17th, 2009
I do not believe self harm helps anyone.
by moiraschuster on October 14th, 2009
i think it does both.
it helps for awhile and then it will start to become a waste of time. it becomes pointless to harm yourself.
by ~liZ~ on March 2nd, 2010
its helps but only for a short time, then uve dug urself into a deeper whole, and u dont kno how to change so u keep doing it...so it does both..helps and then makes u worse off
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Comments
“Just cause you got the monkey off your back doesn't mean the circus has left town.” George Carlin
i agree entirely with your answer, it eventual ends up adding to your problems rather than helping stop them or put them out of mind.
“You do anything long enough to escape the habit of living
until the escape becomes the habit.” Dave ryan
by Cam 420 on February 5th, 2009