Why is cutting so bad

With practice, everyone can do a better job of dealing with their negative emotions in healthy ways. By engaging in self-injury, a person intends to: Obtain relief from a negative feeling or mental state Resolve an interpersonal difficulty, like a disagreement with a friend or loved one Deal with an intrapersonal problem, like boredom Induce a positive feeling state [3].

Warning Signs. Warning signs that someone may be injuring themselves include: Unexplained frequent injuries including cuts and burns, Low self-esteem, Difficulty handling feelings, Relationship problems or avoidance of relationships, and Poor functioning at work, school or home.

Self-Injury and Suicide. Medication is often useful in the management of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, and the racing thoughts that may accompany self-injury. Contracts, journals, and behavior logs are useful tools for regaining self-control. Interpersonal therapy assists individuals in gaining insight and skills for the development and maintenance of relationships. Successful courses of treatment are marked by: An individual's active involvement and committment to their treatment, Aftercare plans with support for the individual's new self-management skills and behaviors, and Collaboration between all involved professionals medical and otherwise.

Other Resources. So they find it hard to believe that some kids cut just because they think it's a way to seem tough and rebellious. Tia tried cutting because a couple of the girls at her school were doing it. So I did it once. But then I thought about how lame it was to do something like that to myself for no good reason. Next time they asked I just said, 'no, thanks — it's not for me. If you have a friend who suggests you try cutting, say what you think.

Why get pulled into something you know isn't good for you? There are plenty of other ways to express who you are. Lindsay had been cutting herself for 3 years because of abuse she suffered as a child.

She's 16 now and hasn't cut herself in more than a year. There are better ways to deal with troubles than cutting — healthier, long-lasting ways that don't leave a person with emotional and physical scars. The first step is to get help with the troubles that led to the cutting in the first place. Here are some ideas for doing that:.

Although cutting can be a difficult pattern to break, it is possible. Getting professional help to overcome the problem doesn't mean that a person is weak or crazy.

Therapists and counselors are trained to help people discover inner strengths that help them heal. These inner strengths can then be used to cope with life's other problems in a healthy way. Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Is Cutting? Why Do People Cut Themselves? How Does Cutting Start? Here are some ideas for doing that: Tell someone. People who have stopped cutting often say the first step is the hardest — admitting to or talking about cutting.

But they also say that after they open up about it, they often feel a great sense of relief. Choose someone you trust to talk to at first a parent, school counselor, teacher, coach, doctor, or nurse.

If it's too difficult to bring up the topic in person, write a note. Identify the trouble that's triggering the cutting. Cutting is a way of reacting to emotional tension or pain. Try to figure out what feelings or situations are causing you to cut. Is it anger? Pressure to be perfect? Relationship trouble?

A painful loss or trauma? Mean criticism or mistreatment? Identify the trouble you're having, then tell someone about it. Many people have trouble figuring this part out on their own. This is where a mental health professional can be helpful. Ask for help. Tell someone that you want help dealing with your troubles and the cutting.

If the person you ask doesn't help you get the assistance you need, ask someone else. Sometimes adults try to downplay the problems teens have or think they're just a phase. If you get the feeling this is happening to you, find another adult such as a school counselor or nurse who can make your case for you.

Deal with your own feelings. You may feel shocked, confused, or even disgusted by self-harming behaviors—and guilty about admitting these feelings. Acknowledging your feelings is an important first step toward helping your loved one.

Learn about the problem. The best way to overcome any discomfort or distaste you feel about self-harm is by learning about it. Understanding why your loved one is self-injuring can help you see the world through their eyes.

Remember, the self-harming person already feels distressed, ashamed and alone. Offer support, not ultimatums. Encourage communication. If the self-harmer is a family member, prepare yourself to address difficulties in the family. This is not about blame, but rather about communicating and dealing with problems in better ways that can benefit the whole family.

Authors: Melinda Smith, M. Whitlock, J. Self-Injurious Behavior in Adolescents. PLOS Medicine, 7 5 , e Journal of Adolescent Health, 52 4 , — Morgan, C.

Incidence, clinical management, and mortality risk following self harm among children and adolescents: Cohort study in primary care. BMJ, , j Aylett, E. Exercise in the treatment of clinical anxiety in general practice — a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Conditions for Further Study. American Psychiatric Association. Self-Harm — Includes treatment and things you can do to help yourself. Royal College of Psychiatrists.

How Can I Stop Cutting? In the U. Alternatives Self-Abuse Finally Ends — Organization dedicated to helping people who self-harm, with a helpline at UK: Mind Infoline — Information on self-harm and a helpline to call at or text Canada: Kids Help Phone — A helpline for kids and teens to call for help with any issue, including cutting and self-injury at Australia: Kids Helpline — A helpline for kids and young adults to get help with issues including cutting and self-harm.

Call 55 India: Helpline India — Provides information and support to those with mental health concerns in India. Call or This holiday season alone, millions of people will turn to HelpGuide for free mental health guidance and support. So many people rely on us in their most difficult moments. Can we rely on you? All gifts made before December 31 will be doubled.

Cookie Policy. Learn about self-injury and how you can feel better without harming yourself. What is self-harm?