Is self mutilation bad?
81698
It's bad. She needs help. Tell an adult you trust. \n\nhttp://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html\n\nMaybe this site will explain things to you a bit better. Help her before it's too late.
901413
I'm an ex-cutter myself; congratulations on giving up the habit--we both know that takes guts. Tell you the truth, it isn't as "bad" as people think it is; it's just socially unacceptable, dangerous in a minor way, and an ineffective way to cope with emotional problems.\n\nCutting is very socially unacceptable, except in very specific cultures--it might be accepted among "goths", or, if it is decorative, among people who are into body modification.\n\nHere's why cutting is socially unacceptable:\n\nWe are all born with a huge instinct for self-preservation. People do amazing things when their lives are in danger; look at any account of people who have survived things like fires, or being trapped in the wilderness, or plane crashes... Human beings are very, very motivated to survive.\n\nThe very strange thing is that you probably cut yourself because it was a last-ditch effort to survive. But other people didn't understand that.\n\nThere's a visceral reaction that people have when they see someone else with an injury--a psychological sympathy-pain reaction, I suppose. Whenever I see someone else with an injury, I know I kind of cringe in sympathetic pain... I don't know if you feel it the same way, but there's always a sort of knot in my stomach when I see someone else has been injured.\n\nThe second reason is that people see anyone who hurts themselves deliberately as mentally ill, and that there is a huge stigma associated with mental illness.\n\nBecause cutting is so "dramatic", and people can't imagine themselves doing it, they often think that it is much more severe than it actually is, or that it is a suicide attempt. In reality, superficial self-injury is usually an indicator of a relatively common mental illness like depression.\n\nPeople are afraid of those with mental illnesses. There are a lot of reasons for that:\n--Horror movies have a lot of villains who are psychopaths or otherwise insane... Despite that a murderer or other violent criminal is very likely to be perfectly sane, people associate mental illness with violence.\n--People are often afraid that they will "catch" your mental illness.\n--There's a certain social code that people follow. Whatever language you speak, that's only about half your communication to other people. The other half is nonverbal... gestures, clothes, the way you walk, your posture. People with mental illnesses often don't follow these unwritten codes; and people who see them don't "speak" the same nonverbal language. Therefore, people will often ostracize those with very mild problems... just because they can't predict their nonverbal actions.\n--People are afraid of what they don't know and can't predict. Prejudice against the unfamiliar--whether it's a different culture, or a different sexual orientation, or whatever--is very common. And those with mental illnesses, even common ones like depression or PTSD, are just different.\n\nWhen people see your scars, they know you have broken a taboo: The unwritten rule that one must always act to protect one's physical health. That rule is imprinted on your instincts.\n\nThe reason you broke that rule is because you knew that, with your limited options, you might hurt yourself worse if you didn't hurt yourself superficially. It's like getting a splinter out of your skin, so it doesn't get infected... It hurts, but it'd hurt a lot worse if you didn't.\n\nBecause you had limited options, you chose to hurt yourself in a small way to avoid big emotional pain. Now that you have more options, mentally and emotionally, to deal with emotional overload, you no longer need such a drastic coping strategy. Cutting really doesn't work all that well, anyway; so once you find a better way to deal with life, why go back?\n\nBut people don't understand that you felt you hadn't any other options. They jump
109848
Self-mutilation is usually not the problem itself, but a symptom of the problem. Speaking from personal experience, alot of "cutters" feel that the cutting is a release for the pain and frustration that they feel inside. I'm willing to bet that your friend is suffering from depression. This is not something that you can handle on your own. If you guys are minors, than you need to speak with her parents. They need to be aware of her problem so that they can seek professional help. She may be angry with you and feel betrayed at first, but she WILL realize one day that you did it because you care. She'll probably even be thankful! If, however, you're NOT minors, then you should gently tell her that you're concerned and think that she should seek help. Be sure to tell her that she's not crazy, and let her know that damn near everyone needs a little help sometimes. No matter what, let her know that you love her and will always be there for her.\n\nI hope this helps...good luck to you both...
125612
Self mutilation may be popular right now, but pierciengs will not help your looks as you age. You're going to get wrinkles and now your adding holes too?
388913
For some reason, self injurious behavior is very addicting. Once you start, it's very hard to stop. I started cutting when I was 12--I'm now 28 and still fight the urge.  Since you just started, you need to work really hard at stopping.  If you feel like you really need help, you need to reach out to an adult that you trust and can talk to.  When you feel the urge to cut, call a friend or find another outlet---sports, drawing, working out, music, writing your feelings down, hobbies.  You need to get control over this now because the longer you do it, the harder it is to stop.\n\nI have an adult friend who also cuts.  She cuts to the point of having to go to ER.  So, this is very serious--if you don't gain some control, it'll control you and only get worse.\nIf you're suicidal, you really need to talk to your parents.  You may need some different meds.\n\nPlease find someone you can reach out to! And never feel like people don't/can't understand because there are many people who do this.  You're not alone.\n\nBest of luck to you!\n\nhttp://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html\nhttp://www.focusas.com/SelfInjury.html\nhttp://teenagerstoday.com/resources/articles/mutilate.htm\nhttp://www.coolnurse.com/self-injury.htm
301203
I am not a parent of a child that self-harms..but if it is any consilation ..I used to be a child who did the "self-harming" ...if I can be of any help just let me know....
894494
I think it disturbs people to see someone harm themselves (cutting).  It is a sign of mental illness.  Even then though, people should not be mean about it.\n\nAs far as the gay, lesbian and bi... that is very different.  I agree with you this is a lifestyle choice and not a mental illness or a sign of something wrong.
58930
u shouldnt cut yourself you are putting your health at risk by cutting
47313
Cutting your toenails.\n\nPlease, talk to a professional if your considering self-mutilation.
1007641
I'm against it. There is no benefit, and once its gone you can't get it back. So if you are considering it, read up about it, check out views from doctors and women who have been through it. In some cultures they not only cut the clitoris the sew up the Virgina leaving a very small gap for menstruation and urine and when they get these women married guess what? The man forces himself through those stitches. Other cultures use the same blade and these women end up contracting diseases like AIDS. It's an evil act and it should be banned.
599151
You souldn't cut ur self. it's gonna make something bad happen or something. I'm sorry ur parents are decorced, but don't get urself in the middle of it. it's not like it's ur fault!
153027
NO you are def. not stupid for cutting, it's not the best way to relieve your stress, try punching a pillow or listening to your fav. singer, but cutting is really bad. You keep wanting to go deeper and longer, and then the blood just runs and what if you can't stop the blood, then you may be scared to tell someone that you are bleeding to death, and by then it's to late b/c by the time they have found you your passed out on the floor in a puddle of blood. Plus the scars some of them never go away and then they are there for life and if people see them some know or some ask and then you are embarassed or you lie (which is not nice). Plus if you have kids and they by any chance see you do it then they can get this habit, and that makes you feel bad, and then you cut again b/c you feel bad that they do it.\n\nBut again you are NOT stupid for doing it you just need to find another solution, talk to someone you trust, go to a counselor, get some meds. read up on what you are doing. I read the book called a bright red scream and it helped alot.
128253
Sweety, you might have to get a letter from a psychiatrist stating that you are mentally competent to handle your duties. I don't know what was involved in the self mutilation thing but if it was done out of fear or anxiety or a mental breakdown, you'll have to get a clean bill of health. I don't know if it will work but it's worth a try. Good luck, Honey. If you send me the details in email, I might be able to find something out for you. My brother's in the psych field. rilti8@sbcglobal.net
959318
Everything that has been said so far is amazing, so I won't elaborate much. \nI was emotionally abused as a child, and at the ripe old age of 22 have experienced the spectrum of eating disorders, emotional problems and, of course, medications. As a function of my self-hatred, I began to cut myself a couple years ago. I have since stopped, but still have times where I struggle.\n\nI used cutting as a way to 'come down' from a state of manic anxiety, panic or just emotional pain in general. I definitely recommend getting help through a psychiatrist/psychologist, and embarrassing as you may find it, reach out to anyone that you are close to so that you will have a support system in your time of need. \n\nFrom my experience, I recommend that you try to take the feelings that push you to self-harm and express them another way, that mimics the release of cutting. This may seem silly to some people, but what worked for me was hitting inanimate objects... beating the crap out of my bed, tearing up magazines, etc. Although this does not completely satisfy the urge to cut, it can get out some of the excess adrenaline and frustration that may be fueling your urge in the first place. One other thing that worked for me was to imagine that it was my own child or someone I love who was cutting... to imagine the precious skin and flesh of someone else being mutilated and what a mockery it is of how amazing we are... try to think of your body as your shelter and a precious friend that you want to protect...\n\nI hope this helps... I haven't cut in a long time, and I'm glad that I stopped (even though I still struggle with the same old demons). I look at my scars with a sense of sadness and protectiveness... as a reminder that destroying myself is not productive or beneficial. \n\nAnd always know that you are loved :) Always.
303076
It's not really wrong, but you shouldn't do it.You should find a better way of dealing with your problem than cutting. I am a recovering cutter, I haven't cut myself for a year. I still feel like doing it sometimes but I find something else to do thats more positive.
415399
who says it is not good for your health.  I think your confusing it.  It does not harm you in any way to be circumcised but it does not help you either.  It used to be thought that circumcision was healthier but if you know how to care for your self being uncircumcised is fine.  It is just more work to be uncircumcised
953949
Cutting is an interesting action and one that causes great concern to a parent. I know kids that just outgrew the need.  If you have developedd the skills to cope without cutting yourself, it may be time to develope the skills to discuss this with your parents. You are the most important person to them and they are hovering because they do not want you to hurt yourself - just at the time in your life when you would like more freedom. So work on getting that trust and independence balance back. Start with a chat. But remember, you are not a renter in the house so you will not be ignored - you are a family member and need family interaction too.