Why cut themselves

The consequences of self-harming behaviour can be fatal, and it needs careful assessment and care by a health professional. Self Harm - Factsheet.

It can be hard for people who self-harm to stop it by themselves. You may find that some of these strategies work in some situations but not others, or you may find that you need to use a combination of these. It is important to find what works for you. Also, remember that these are not long-term solutions to self-harm but rather, useful short-term alternatives for relieving distress.

The more you understand your self-harm, the better equipped you are to make different choices. You may want to write down what happens before and after you self-harm. This can help you to:. It can be difficult to know what to do and how to cope, but help is available. Below are some places to go for information and support. Cutting is a type of self-harm.

Although it can be a challenging habit to break, there are many ways to prevent yourself or others from cutting. Suicide is preventable with the right treatment and support. Learn about the warning signs and risk factors for suicide in this article. We also…. In this article, learn about why some people consider suicide.

It also covers what to do if you or a loved one experiences these thoughts. Although borderline personality disorder and bipolar disorder share some similar symptoms, they are different conditions. We take a look at agitated depression, a low mood involving uneasiness and anxiety.

Included in this article is detail on diagnosis and stress…. Why do people cut themselves? Medically reviewed by Timothy J.

Legg, Ph. Why people do it Warning signs The psychology of self-harm Causes Treatment Ways to help Harming oneself might seem unthinkable, but it is one of the most common mental health issues. Share on Pinterest A person experiencing depression or anxiety may be at risk of cutting themselves. Warning signs. The psychology of self-harm. Earlier, her friends had run to my office in terror. They had noticed fresh wounds on her arms and they were afraid Charlotte was trying to kill herself.

She said she had a habit of cutting her wrists with razors. She indicated that she was not trying to kill herself; it was just a way for her to deal with the problems in her life. When she had a bad day at school, she got emotional relief from cutting. When she had a disagreement with her foster parents, she would cut.

When the boy she liked ignored her, she cut. Since she felt numb much of the time, cutting helped her feel alive and the fresh blood gave her a feeling of relief. Charlotte was only 14 years old but had been cutting for four years. Cutting was part of her daily routine and, she told me, it gave her great comfort. Self-harm in many of its forms has increased in popularity in the last decade. Famous individuals, such as Princess Diana, Angelina Jolie and others have publically shared their personal struggles with self-harm.

Many people with self-harm tendencies have difficulty verbalizing or otherwise expressing emotional pain. Self-harm is a complicated and destructive coping strategy that affects many individuals from pre-adolescence through adulthood. There are many methods of self-harm. The most common form of self-harm is cutting. Individuals use razors, knives and other sharp objects to scratch or cut their skin. Much cutting is done on the arms, especially because it is an easily accessible location.

Many of these individual hide the resulting scars with long shirts and bracelets. Charlotte did not always hide her scars. She thought her scars were a badge of honor and set her apart from her peers.

As I got to know Charlotte, I understood that she really wanted to stop cutting, and that showing her scars was also a cry for help. Cutters sometimes cut in secret. The more hidden the scars are, the more severe the problem of self-harm tends to be. Individuals with self-harm issues also cut their breast, thighs, back, hips, and legs.

The cutting can be random or very ordered and sequenced. Everyone participating knows the main goal is to help the cutter get the care she needs. If you or a loved one struggle with cutting, we are here for you. Call our helpline, , 24 hours a day to speak to an admissions coordinator about available treatment options.

On This Page: Why Cutting? Many people who cut themselves were abused in some way as a child. Whether the abuse was sexual, physical or emotional, or a case of neglect. Teenagers are more likely to cut themselves. Self-harm often begins in the early teen years due to emotional ups and downs, peer pressure, loneliness and conflicts with authority figures. People who are self-critical and have many negative emotions are at increased risk of cutting.

Cutters tend to be more impulsive and have poor cognitive skills. Those who struggle with borderline personality disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and eating disorders are at a higher risk of cutting.

Cutting often occurs when a person is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.