Nov 9, 2012 | By Tim Stoddart

Why do People Cut Themselves?

Mental Health

Today I have been 2 months clean of self-harm. No one ever said it would be easy to recover but I’m making progress. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders and I feel better then ever knowing that there are people that care about me, that I am strong willed and that I am determined that i can do this. Everyone is worth it. Life does get better. I can promise you that.

Congratulations on 2 months clean and thanks so much for submitting this hopeful message! I hope you make it to three, four, five, six and more months, and that you are able to hold on to the motivation that you feel right now. Stay strong. You definitely can do this.

Cutting is Addictive

It’s easy to forget that addiction is more than drinking and drugging, addictive behaviors are almost always symptoms of a bigger issue. There are many reasons as to why people cut themselves, it is important to understand that addiction is an over lapping issue and it can come out in many ways. One of these ways is cutting.

For most people, the concept of cutting can be confusing. People aren’t sure why people cut themselves or what purpose it serves. How many times have family members or friends or siblings asked “Why do they cut themselves? Are they trying to kill themselves?” I am not a medical professional or a therapist, I am just someone who has experience on the subject. So… lets get right to it – why do people cut themselves??

Release of Pain

Cutting is a very real stress reliever. It brings an element of tangibility to the pain the person feels. It’s hard to locate and treat internal emotional pain, but when cutters perform these rituals they are giving themselves something that can be seen and felt and treated. Cutting is very commonly correlated with addiction. The sharp and acute pain cutters feel releases an influx of endorphin’s to the brain. These endorphin’s actually can create a feeling of euphoria and pleasure. In a strange twist of fate, the “pain” cutters feel actually feels good. This feeling can be addictive just like a drug.

Cutting and Self Mutilation

Shortly after the “endorphin high” of cutting wears off, the afflicted cutter usually gets hit with feelings of guilt and shame. This turns into a downhill spiral and can lead to more questions as to why people cut themselves. Many times you will hear a cutter express feelings of low self esteem, and low self worth. These acts of self mutilation, in which the person feels so little and down about themselves, they want to purposely disfigure themselves our of an act of defiance and spite.

Impulse Control

Some doctors believe that cutting is an impulse control behavioral problem, and that the answer to why people cut themselves can be found in the chemistry of the brain. Cutting is often done impulsively and can be linked to a number of disorders such as depression, eating disorders, and of course addiction. There are dozens of studies and psychological theories about cutting, but I think first hand experience can provide some of the best insight of why people cut themselves.