NationStates Jolt Archive

Okay.
Like an awful lot of people out there, i cut myself when i'm under a lot of stress.
Personally, i don't see what's so wrong with it - it's not hurting anyone (apart from me, and hell, i give myself permission to do it), it doesn't have any long-term effects, and as far as escapism from problems goes, there are far more damaging alternatives - ie drug addiction, alcoholism, risk-taking behaviour, or even behaviour that's destructive towards others.

i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.

Also, why is it so much less socially acceptable than other forms of stress relief?
You won't notice anybody freaking out when somebody gets stressed out and goes outside for a quick cigarette. Nothing at all strange about filling your body with carbon monoxide and any number of chemicals, risking your own eventual death for a quick fix of that burning sensation in your lungs.

But scratching your arm?
Man, that's sick.

i don't get it.
Meh.
Just figured it might be interesting to pose this question on NS, see what the general opinion is.

It hurts?

It hurts?

:) lol. Well, yeah.
i mean why is it some kind of social taboo? More so than other things which cause much greater damage?

Apart from the fact that it hurts. :)

Because it IS an indication of a mental illness, and there're social stigmas associated with that type of illness.

Also, taking a long drag on a cigarette will not accidently cut too deep and kill you.

Yes yes I know other things will kill you, and those do have social stigmas attached.


Good question though. Now you've got me all wonderin'.

Okay.
Like an awful lot of people out there, i cut myself when i'm under a lot of stress.
Personally, i don't see what's so wrong with it - it's not hurting anyone (apart from me, and hell, i give myself permission to do it), it doesn't have any long-term effects, and as far as escapism from problems goes, there are far more damaging alternatives - ie drug addiction, alcoholism, risk-taking behaviour, or even behaviour that's destructive towards others.

i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.

Also, why is it so much less socially acceptable than other forms of stress relief?
You won't notice anybody freaking out when somebody gets stressed out and goes outside for a quick cigarette. Nothing at all strange about filling your body with carbon monoxide and any number of chemicals, risking your own eventual death for a quick fix of that burning sensation in your lungs.

But scratching your arm?
Man, that's sick.

i don't get it.
Meh.
Just figured it might be interesting to pose this question on NS, see what the general opinion is.
You've got some decent points here. However, there is a problem: even if stopping the cutting does not rid thyself of the mental illness, it's a step in the right direction.

Of course, this is for those who hurt themselves because they're depressed. If you're just a masochist and like hurting yourself because you enjoy pain, that's your own business.

Okay.
Like an awful lot of people out there, i cut myself when i'm under a lot of stress.
Personally, i don't see what's so wrong with it - it's not hurting anyone (apart from me, and hell, i give myself permission to do it), it doesn't have any long-term effects, and as far as escapism from problems goes, there are far more damaging alternatives - ie drug addiction, alcoholism, risk-taking behaviour, or even behaviour that's destructive towards others.

i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.

Also, why is it so much less socially acceptable than other forms of stress relief?
You won't notice anybody freaking out when somebody gets stressed out and goes outside for a quick cigarette. Nothing at all strange about filling your body with carbon monoxide and any number of chemicals, risking your own eventual death for a quick fix of that burning sensation in your lungs.

But scratching your arm?
Man, that's sick.

i don't get it.
Meh.
Just figured it might be interesting to pose this question on NS, see what the general opinion is.

it's stupid and self destuctive,let alone the fact that it is a pathetic look at me act.

Hmmm... What could be wrong with it?

That it indicates suicidal tendencies, which badly need to be treated?

That it leaves disfiguring and easily identified scars?

That it is quite dangerous (IE, one slip and it's all over), and therefore irresponsible to the people who care about you?

Or... Perhaps, most of all:

That it is a habit-forming behaviour that creates a dependancy, therefore weakening you (in much the same way drugs do), and cheapening your life?

Cutting yourself is just plain stupid. All other things aside, it shows that you need to learn to deal with stressors. For God's sake, take up music, drawing, or writing! Buy a punching bag! Bitch at your parents and/or friends until they tell you to shut up, and then throw annoyed glares at them! There are plenty of ways to deal with stress, learning a suicidal behaviour is a juvenile and destructive way of doing so.

let alone the fact that it is a pathetic look at me act

Not necessarily.
i cut my legs rather than my arms most of the time, precisely to avoid the "look at me" factor.
(As for writing about it here......the joys of anonymity :) )
Also, 'tis very hard to "accidentally cut too deep and kill yourself" as someone else put it, when it's on your leg. i try to make sure the cuts are shallow enough not to scar permanently.
Yeah, self-injury is immature and pretty destructive, but several times it's saved me from doing something even stupider.

i'm aware that it's not healthy, but, if it's a personal choice, then why does it sit so badly with society in general?

That it is a habit-forming behaviour that creates a dependancy, therefore weakening you (in much the same way drugs do), and cheapening your life?

That is a good point, though.
Still, people with mental illnesses/personality disorders don't always have the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with a particular situation, and i think that in some instances self-injury really might be the least damaging way they have of coping.
In the long term, sure, it needs to be looked at.
But in the short term? In a crisis where no less destructive avenues are available?

Hey! Alcoholism is perfectly healthy and natural, thankyouverymuch.

And, at the same time, my goddam blood stays in my veins, I don't risk lockjaw or any other sort of nasty infection or scarring risks that are inherent in cutting.

Instead I'm just ruining my liver, and when that bugger goes, I'll just take another one from a recently deceased individual.

Furthermore, out of sight, out of mind. That's the way I like my wounds.

dude, wtf, your so out of the loop, cutting is SO last year man, This year, its burning. Totally, you burn yourself to whatever degree you like. Its the new fad of self mutilation.

Like an awful lot of people out there, i cut myself when i'm under a lot of stress.

How emo.


i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.


Neither will incouraging it. And frankly, even though it's a symptom and not a cause, symptoms need to be treated as well. Often, before anything else can be done.


You won't notice anybody freaking out when somebody gets stressed out and goes outside for a quick cigarette. Nothing at all strange about filling your body with carbon monoxide and any number of chemicals, risking your own eventual death for a quick fix of that burning sensation in your lungs.

Yeah, actually, as a smoker, I DO notice people that freak out about smokers. We're called "murderers," "disgusting," "filthy," "rude," "assholes." We're asked to move away from park benches even when we sat here first. People cover their mouth and noses as if I'm emitting nerve gas. We're ostracized and hounded.

Plus, smoking cigarettes is fun. You've said it already that "cutting" is indicative of a mental disturbance - whereas cigarette smoking is merely a habit.

It borders on suicide, or could kill you if you slip. Enough said.

:) lol. Well, yeah.
i mean why is it some kind of social taboo? More so than other things which cause much greater damage?
Because it is a foolish thing to do. And, unlike, say, drugs, it doesn't even alter your mind or anything. LSD is better for you than blood loss.

I can see why people smoke pot- whole buncha reasons. But, cutting yourself, accomplishes nothing, other than perpetuating the "emo" stereotype.

I saw a movie called The Secretary, or something like that. It was kinda messed up, but the main character had her self-cutting habits confronted by her boss in a way that made a lot of sense to me, but I don't cut myself so it'd be interesting to see how someone who does can relate to it.

He said 'You cut yourself because you hurt inside and you want your outside to reflect it'

So do you think it is a simple stress relieving 'hobby', or is it a self-inflicted physical manifestation of your inner pain?

You seem to be in denial that you have a real problem. I have BPD, and I cut my wrists, legs, ribs and stomach. I scratch and pinch myself. I do all sorts of self-harming things, and it's indicative that I have issues. It's unhealthy, because any type of disorder is unhealthy. I don't believe that it's any less acceptable than those who become dependent on drugs, eating disorders or obsessive behaviour. They are all forms of self-harm. Don't you see that?
Why don't you see a psych? I don't know if it will help, but to be honest, by cutting yourself, you're also hurting those around you; you just don't realise it.

it's stupid and self destuctive,let alone the fact that it is a pathetic look at me act.

It's not a "look at me act". Most self-injurers hide their scars. Research topics, for fuck's sake.

Hmmm... What could be wrong with it?

That it indicates suicidal tendencies, which badly need to be treated?

That it leaves disfiguring and easily identified scars?

That it is quite dangerous (IE, one slip and it's all over), and therefore irresponsible to the people who care about you?

Or... Perhaps, most of all:

That it is a habit-forming behaviour that creates a dependancy, therefore weakening you (in much the same way drugs do), and cheapening your life?

Cutting yourself is just plain stupid. All other things aside, it shows that you need to learn to deal with stressors. For God's sake, take up music, drawing, or writing! Buy a punching bag! Bitch at your parents and/or friends until they tell you to shut up, and then throw annoyed glares at them! There are plenty of ways to deal with stress, learning a suicidal behaviour is a juvenile and destructive way of doing so.

It's not neccissarily suicidal behaviour. One can cut without the intent to commit suicide. It's not stupid, it's just indicative of underlying issues about self-image and life in general. I'm an artist, and I write and compose songs. I also own a punching bag, but I STILL cut.

Not necessarily.
i cut my legs rather than my arms most of the time, precisely to avoid the "look at me" factor.
(As for writing about it here......the joys of anonymity :) )
Also, 'tis very hard to "accidentally cut too deep and kill yourself" as someone else put it, when it's on your leg. i try to make sure the cuts are shallow enough not to scar permanently.
Yeah, self-injury is immature and pretty destructive, but several times it's saved me from doing something even stupider.

i'm aware that it's not healthy, but, if it's a personal choice, then why does it sit so badly with society in general?



That is a good point, though.
Still, people with mental illnesses/personality disorders don't always have the necessary coping mechanisms to deal with a particular situation, and i think that in some instances self-injury really might be the least damaging way they have of coping.
In the long term, sure, it needs to be looked at.
But in the short term? In a crisis where no less destructive avenues are available?

I agree with you fully. I cut my legs too, to avoid the obvious scars, yet I find that, personally, the wrist hurts more. I have scars on my stomach and ribs too. It's not something you want to show off. You want to hide it. Why are we the only people that seem to understand?

i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.

Also, why is it so much less socially acceptable than other forms of stress relief?

It's not healthy, and it may be a sign of manic-depression or some other mental illness. You've answered your own question, as others have pointed out. You've got a right to be unhealthy if you choose, if the adverse effects of the problem are acceptable to you. This is the same choice made by people who use hard drugs/hooch/cigarettes, eat fatty foods, play their music too loud, work stressful jobs, etc. If you can and do accept the consequences, you can easily ignore what is or isn't socially acceptable. End of problem. :)

I think self-harm is stupid, but not immoral.

it's stupid and self destuctive,let alone the fact that it is a pathetic look at me act.

My girlfriend used to do it, from the age of about 10-16, because her grandfather sexually abused her. Does that still make it a pathetic look-at-me act?

I think it shows a lack of creativity. I have been finding interesting ways of hurting myself for a long time.

Hell, just two days ago, I tormented my brother-in-law while playing mini-golf to the point that he struck me in the groin with his golf club. :(

I think it shows a lack of creativity. I have been finding interesting ways of hurting myself for a long time.

Hell, just two days ago, I tormented my brother-in-law while playing mini-golf to the point that he struck me in the groin with his golf club. :(

Creative self-harmers poke ocelots and race brakeless bikes downhill.

Creative self-harmers poke ocelots and race brakeless bikes downhill.

I do not have easy access to ocelots, but I have ridden my bike off a cliff and caught skunks. :)

Edit: Not simultaneously. :p

The majority of people don't mind self-destructive behavior, as long as they themselves participate in it. Since the majority of people don't cut, they do mind it. It also doesn't help that scars have become a fashion statement.
With that said, I recommend you see a therapist.

I think it shows a lack of creativity. I have been finding interesting ways of hurting myself for a long time.

Hell, just two days ago, I tormented my brother-in-law while playing mini-golf to the point that he struck me in the groin with his golf club. :(

It's still self-harm, all the same.

The majority of people don't mind self-destructive behavior, as long as they themselves participate in it. Since the majority of people don't cut, they do mind it. It also doesn't help that scars have become a fashion statement.
With that said, I recommend you see a therapist.

They're not a fashion statement. I'm modelling tomorrow and I have to find a way of hiding mine. :rolleyes:

They're not a fashion statement. I'm modelling tomorrow and I have to find a way of hiding mine. :rolleyes:Oh, I know that not everyone who cuts does it for that reason; it's unfortunate, though, that some people do cut for that reason, and it detracts from the serious cases.

Okay.
Like an awful lot of people out there, i cut myself when i'm under a lot of stress.
Personally, i don't see what's so wrong with it - it's not hurting anyone (apart from me, and hell, i give myself permission to do it), it doesn't have any long-term effects, and as far as escapism from problems goes, there are far more damaging alternatives - ie drug addiction, alcoholism, risk-taking behaviour, or even behaviour that's destructive towards others.

i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.

Also, why is it so much less socially acceptable than other forms of stress relief?
You won't notice anybody freaking out when somebody gets stressed out and goes outside for a quick cigarette. Nothing at all strange about filling your body with carbon monoxide and any number of chemicals, risking your own eventual death for a quick fix of that burning sensation in your lungs.

But scratching your arm?
Man, that's sick.

i don't get it.
Meh.
Just figured it might be interesting to pose this question on NS, see what the general opinion is.

what's wrong with self injury is the same thing that's wrong with any other addiction, it's mentally unhealthy.

Could be worse. It could be SI involving a handgun.

You. Are. Fucking. Screwed.

People need to take lessons from me. Acting emo and depressed for the sake of getting attention isn't a good idea.

You. Are. Fucking. Screwed.

People need to take lessons from me. Acting emo and depressed for the sake of getting attention isn't a good idea.

Naliitr: An inspiration to emokids everywhere.

Naliitr: An inspiration to emokids everywhere.

I'm so ashamed of myself. *no sarcasm*

i know several people who cut themselves, and all of them are constantly being told they need to stop, it's not healthy, it indicates the presence of a mental disturbance.

And almost certainly, it does.
But stopping the self-injury will not take away the mental disturbance.
But continuing to commit self-injury is not going to improve one's mental disturbance.
You're not addressing the root cause for hacking at yourself.
It's an escape from whatever's bothering you. Once you're finished mutilating yourself, the 'whatever's bothering you' is still going to be there.

There are better ways to deal with depression than cutting. I should know, I used to cut and it got me nothing but faded scars, certainly didn't rid me of my depression. I think thats why its looked down on, because it is an unhealthy way to try to rid yourself of the pain you will never rid yourself of through cutting. If your cutting because your trying to be emo, stop because it doesnt make you cool and emos make a mockery of people who are truly depressed. If your cutting because your hurting emotionally, get help because no amount of cutting in the world will stop the real pain, believe me.

no amount of cutting in the world will stop the real pain
Well, that's not exactly true. But the outcome's not really optimal.

Well, that's not exactly true. But the outcome's not really optimal.

So you think cutting can actually get rid of depression?

So you think cutting can actually get rid of depression?

I think he's saying that if you cut deeply enough in the right place you'll get rid of your depression - permamently. Unless that's what you want (and frankly even if it is), then it's counterproductive.

So you think cutting can actually get rid of depression?
Romanar got it right.

If my health insurance costs rise because you constantly cut your arms or willfully hurt yourself and need medical attention, I do have a problem with it.

Other than that, it's just sad.

get to the root of the problem and quit tryign to pretend that it is a short term solution to masking yoru mental illness. The more you do it the more you will become dependent on it.

You are not going to get over it unless you work on your issues.

When you cut yoruself is it because of depression? or what exactly?

ALso, I'd like to know how you know lots of people that cut themselves? Do you belong to a club or something? :confused: