Cutting: What do you think about it?

[Ness]

As the topic suggests, what do you think about self mutilation and the people who take part in it?

Personally, I think it is an indication that there is something wrong. While it isn't necessarily the problem itself, it is a sign of something deeper going on inside the cutter. I think that the person who cuts should seek professional help before they cut themselves to deep or in the wrong place. Then there are some people who just like the feeling of pain.

[Nazo]

0.o... say what?!

But seriously, I hope its not you who've experienced such problems, eh? http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif

If you mean 'cutting'- as in using sharp tools to get rid of pimples or ugly things on your face, never mind the rest of the post... But otherwise, read on.

------------------------------

I recently did an article on Satanism for history class which explored such things... not just for Satanism or for mutilation in general.

It usually is derived from 1 of 2 common causes:

1) Religion: whether it be Christian, Satanist, Nazism, or Bobism, there is a sudden code of conduct that may enforce such things. Christianity for example, has a verse (forgot which) that says:

"Gouge out your eye if it makes you look at sin. Cut off your right hand if it causes you to sin... it would be better to lose a part of your body then to have the whole body thrown into the pits of hell..."

Satanists, on the other hand, are wackos. They cut off fingers, excrete blood, take out parts too inappropriate to mention for the heck of it, or to mock Christians.

http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif

2) Mental cases: I'm not saying they're crazy. They may have experienced personal emotional cases which may have caused them to think that they either wanted or had to remove a part of their body... let's just say that they're depressed.



... School came in handy for once. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wink.gif

[Ness]

I'm not talking about those who comepletely remove their body parts. I'm taking aobut those who run a razor or some other sharp object across their body (usually their arm).

I just don't see how it could make someone fell better. To me it just adds physical pain to my emotional pain. Also, it doesn't solve any problems. The problems that are causing you do cut are still going to be there and won't leave until you solve them.

[Nazo]

Ah, cutting for relief.


You could've been a bit more specific earlier on... http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_lol.gif But that's ok.

I actually have personal experience with this. I had a friend from a long time ago, whose dad would cut himself in random places (especially his arm)... and he'd show it to us too. He looked as if he felt real good, but got in trouble with his wife.... http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif Eventually they got divorced, and my friend moved to Tokyo. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

I think the primary context from which this desire is derived is because they've first seen others do it, whether it be direct or indirect. Its probably a mental habit, much like how one sleeps hugging their favorite blanky or instinctively walks right foot over the left foot- its an unconscious act for the most part. And still being serious, those addicted on most infamous material (e.g. drugs using hypodermic syringe, smoking for emotion relief or for digestoin, or even pornography to satisfy unfulfilled or restrained desires) can be identified with those examples that I have just supported...


Just a guess, I suppose...

[Ness]

But like pornography, cutting is a concious desire. You have to want to cut or want to look at porn. Your body just doesn't force you to do something like it forces your heart to beat. You have control over cutting (in most cases) just like you have control over looking at porn.

[space_butler]

I know a person who cuts herself, some poeple would probably say its because she's a goth, but she has a number of mental condidtions and is on various antidepresents...generally if the person does it repeatedly then its because of a problem with something, not a desire to look 'hard' or 'cool'

[Ness]

To me, people that cut don't look cool.

[Shattered_weasel]

I cut myself with a butter knife once. Hurt like a paper cut.

[navci]

My brother used to cut himself. So does his friend. I am not entirely sure about the statistics but it seems like it is more common with Asian youngsters to cut themselves than say, North American kids.

The reason that they cut themselves is kinda like the reason that people get aneroxia. It is all about control. A lot of the Asian kids are a lot more passive in relation to getting along (or not) with their parents, teachers, friends. The more active kids will fight back and do whatever they can/want to protect their own will. For kids that don't know how to fight back and don't know how to release their frustrations, they cut themselves. It is a stress-relieve, it gives them a sense of control because when they hurt themselves they able to inflict something on themselves solely because they can do it. ... It maybe a bit hard to understand.

What I am trying to say here is, I understand why some people would cut themselves on the arm. But it doesn't change the fact that it is very scary and worrying to people who care about you. My bro, and his friend, when they were doing that, well they usually do wear long sleeves or cover them up so no one nag about it. (chances are, if people keep nagging at them, they will get frustrated again and cut more because they don't know how to release those negative emotions, the sort of bottled-up people) Sometimes when I catch a glimpse it sends a chill down my spine. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

When things like this happen you just need to be there as a friend/family. Let them know it is okay that they talk to you. If they don't want to talk to you (chances are they prolly don't) try to introduce them to some kinda vigorous physical activties that can releif stress. Like some punching kicking sports, ball games, whatever get them exhausted and then just fall asleep. ... That, and a lot of care, I guess.



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: navi on 2004-07-06 11:52 ]</font>

[DruidMettool]

To me, cutting is pointless. It dosen't make you look cool, it makes you look like an idiot. And it's so common, that nobody notices it anymore. "Ohhhh I'm hurting myself! Give me attention!". And looking "cool" is what the media tells you to do. I, myself, never listen to the media.

There are better ways to get attention. I don't what they are, but I know they exist. So quit staining our bathroom floor and wasting our steak knives, and find a better way to be popular.

[Dangerous55]

On 2004-07-06 11:30, DruidMettool wrote:
To me, cutting is pointless. It dosen't make you look cool, it makes you look like an idiot.




Agreed.

[Kizaragu]

On 2004-07-06 11:30, DruidMettool wrote:
There are better ways to get attention. I don't what they are, but I know they exist. So quit staining our bathroom floor and wasting our steak knives, and find a better way to be popular.
That is one of the DUMBEST things I've ever heard. My younger brother and a friend of mine have both used self harm as relief and neither of them, NEITHER of them did it for attention or to be popular as you put it.
When I caught my brother doing as I burst into his room to make him jump (It's a big brother thing) one afternoon, he screamed and begged me not to tell anyone, that's anyone as he didn't want people to know. He was disgusted with himself.
I did tell our mother though regardless and he's getting help for it. No one but his immediate family know about it.
It's not something he goes into school boasting about to look cool.

How bloody dare you.

[DruidMettool]

I should back myself up a bit here.

I -know- that there are people who do it for "good" reasons. But, from what i've seen in my life, many people do it to show off. Every day at school, I would see people showing other people their new cuts, making up some story to go along with it.

Sorry If I offended you, but I was talking about the majority of people whom do it. Not EVERYONE. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif

[Kizaragu]

On 2004-07-06 11:45, DruidMettool wrote:
I should back myself up a bit here.

I -know- that there are people who do it for "good" reasons. But, from what i've seen in my life, many people do it to show off. Every day at school, I would see people showing other people their new cuts, making up some story to go along with it.

Sorry If I offended you, but I was talking about the majority of people whom do it. Not EVERYONE. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_wacko.gif
Apology accepted. ^_^
It's just a subject I feel very strongly about considering my little brother does it. It just upsets me easilly.
Sorry if I came across a little harsh.

[navci]

On 2004-07-06 11:45, DruidMettool wrote:
I -know- that there are people who do it for "good" reasons. But, from what i've seen in my life, many people do it to show off. Every day at school, I would see people showing other people their new cuts, making up some story to go along with it.


http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_disapprove.gif Maybe it is true for those people who you have seen. As I said in my earlier post, my bro has done it. And he didn't do it for attention. He didn't know how to release his stress and negative emotions. It is dumb in a way, but it is not idiotic. Some of us only know how to bottle up. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_frown.gif

[Aredhel]

What? You mean it's not what all the kewlest kids are doing these days? Then it's a damn good thing that people don't do it to look cool. It's not like dieting or buying nice clothes - self-mutilation isn't some retarded status symbol striving to grasp onto society; it's a disorder of expression, the person is striving to grasp onto reality. So whatever you think about it in regards to society is completely irrelevant: it doesn't really matter whether you think it's cool or trendy or whatever - some of these kids (and even adults) are trying to reach out and control their lives. After all, what are we if we have no control over our own destinies?

[Ness]

Most of the cutters I know don't do it for attention. They do it because they have psychological issue that need to be brought out so they can obtain professional help. I myself have never cut and don't plan too, but I have friends that do.

[astuarlen]

It's not the behavior of an individual who is entirely emotionally or mentally healthy. The so-called logic behind it--it's a form of stress-relief; it's a way to assert "control" over your own life; the physical pain distracts you from mental anguish--is utterly twisted, in my opinion. Self-destructive behavior is a manifestation of a self-destructive and self-defeating mentatlity. By this I don't necessarily mean a person consciously wants to kill themselves, but that some of his thoughts and perceptions are negatively-skewed so as to cause him to grossly misinterpret things, form unhealthy relationships, or set himself up for failure in various areas. At least, this is how I see it from the perspective of someone who does not self-mutilate but has spoken with or been fairly close to those who have. Above all, I think it is a misguided attempt to deal with the issues I mentioned above, and someone who cuts himself needs support and help as much as someone who is suicidal.

[Gnarled_rose]

I don't have any experience with cutting specifically, but the pain is something that I think is a way to express emotions if you're overly frustrated or confused and don't know how else to handle things. Sometimes the pain is the one constant thing in your life, and when there's none available, you make it yourself.

[AUTO_]

I don't see how cutting yourself would benefit you, even from the examples given.

If you want to have self expression...why not just flip off a random stranger or something?

I don't see why cutting yourself would be a great "release".

[navci]

On 2004-07-06 12:50, AUTO_ wrote:
I don't see how cutting yourself would benefit you, even from the examples given.

If you want to have self expression...why not just flip off a random stranger or something?

I don't see why cutting yourself would be a great "release".


Well A lot of expression of stress and furstration on an unhealthy level is not really logical or understandable if you think about it. So naturally you won't understand how this will work.

Everyone deals with their problems differently. Just like everyone has a different thershold to stress. Some people can take it easy, some people cannot. The people who cut themselves are the kind that can't take it easy, bottles up and quiet and have no idea what to do about their negative emotions. If you are not like that you prolly won't see how it will help. Of course, I am not saying it helps the situation or the problem. It could be a "quick-fix" of some sort for the person suffering. But in the long run of course they need to find a way to release the stress and realize people care about them and maybe work on the fix the root of the problem.

[Ness]

On 2004-07-06 13:29, navi wrote:

Well A lot of expression of stress and furstration on an unhealthy level is not really logical or understandable if you think about it. So naturally you won't understand how this will work.

Everyone deals with their problems differently. Just like everyone has a different thershold to stress. Some people can take it easy, some people cannot. The people who cut themselves are the kind that can't take it easy, bottles up and quiet and have no idea what to do about their negative emotions. If you are not like that you prolly won't see how it will help. Of course, I am not saying it helps the situation or the problem. It could be a "quick-fix" of some sort for the person suffering. But in the long run of course they need to find a way to release the stress and realize people care about them and maybe work on the fix the root of the problem.



That is exactly why they need to seek help.

[navci]

On 2004-07-06 16:26, Ness wrote:

That is exactly why they need to seek help.



And I am not saying they don't. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif If you are a family or friend, of course you need to offer them support and encourage them to seek help.

[Guile]

I think it's a huge call for attention.

[Aredhel]

On 2004-07-07 00:57, Guile wrote:
I think it's a huge call for attention.



Maybe so, but if they're that desperate for it, then maybe they should get it.

[navci]

On 2004-07-07 00:57, Guile wrote:
I think it's a huge call for attention.


Not the "I am so cool" kind, though. http://www.pso-world.com/psoworld/images/phpbb/icons/smiles/icon_smile.gif

[eRUPT]

I don't think any of you shooting moronic comments of that as they are attention seekers solely and they just are finding a way to be sent to the hospital are old enough or mentally developed enough to even start to comprehend this topic. So in the future the person who creates such a topic needs to check themselves to see if they meet this requirement

http://www.angelfire.com/home/bphoenix1/si.html

That link has some relevant information.

And yes insult is intended.