Yes, I think when you exercise it releases endorphins too.

thanks,, when you said that it kind of light off a light blub in my head... but yeah i think you're right about excercise.

Did you ever tell her she's an R-Tard? That might get her to stop. If she wants to relieve pain, tell her to go help some hungry children. Guarantee that will work. Give back to the community instead of thinking about herself. That's all it is. She's selfish. Don't give me any BS...'Oh, she's suffering from depression.' That's a load of crap. I've known many people who got through it and they didn't bitch or cut themselves. They dealt with the shit in their lives and got threw it. That's all I got.

Hells ya, we're all one big happy family'

I think that people cut themselves in order for the emotional pain to be replaced with physical pain because they believe that the emotional pain is worse.

No offense, but I think cutting is a sign of weakness. Self-mutilation will ease the emotional pain for a bit, sure, but what are you left with? Cuts on your arms? The risk of killing yourself? You can do other things to ease the pain. Do something productive. You can't sit down and feel sorry for yourself and cut your whole life.

That's just what I think.

I Think thats right in my opinion

Cause life in the suburbs is so bad. OMG! MY BOYFRIEND BROKE UP WITH ME!!!! I'm gonna cut myself. Yo, seriously. I think that people should start looking around and seeing what reality is instead of living in their own little damn lives and stop bitching to their friends that they have an aweful life because their parents don't let them do what they want. pisses me off.

I'm not really a supporter of cutting. I mean, there are other ways to relieve stress and not just cause it feels good. Its hurting you! Wait...so basically, its like high off of hurting yourself?

for once I agree. Thats stupid. They are only cutting themselves because it's a trend. Once the trend is over.. no more cuttie! -_-;; those people piss me off.
They done even know what emotional pain means. This is the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Maybe if they spent more time doing other things they wouldnt be so stupid. or maybe theyre just born stupid. yeah..

EXACTLY!!!

YEAHHHHH!!! FUCK YEAHHH!! AMERICA!!! I AGREE!!!

i think that cutting is pretty much isolated to the teen years... alot of teenagers feel like they can't cope with their problems, their hormones are running rampant, they don't understand how to constructively fix the issue... these kids should be seeing therapists, not rummaging through their kitchen drawers... their parents should be noticing the signs... it's not that hard to say "hey honey are you ok? you look a little down" i'm not judging, i myself used to be a cutter when i was 14-15... i'm sure that if my parents actually took an interest in me and tried to talk to me, the whole issue could have been avoided... but looking back, i realize that it was stupid, irrational, non-productive, and just aesthetically displeasing... now i have to spend $400 on a tattoo to cover up my hormonal mess... laaaaaame

To address a few comments, though I'm not going to quote anyone.

Cutting is not a trend. The "emo"-attention cutting is a trend. Cutting as a form of self-injury has been around for a very, very long time.

Cutting is not limited to teenage girls who have broken up with their boyfriends. It's fact that most who cut start early in life and continue throughout their adult years. Some even start as adults.

Not all people who cut are depressed. Also a fact.

Cutting is not productive; it provides no long-term solution to whatever problems (big or small) that is causing the self-injury. However, neither is listening to music or punching your pillow or yelling at your mom because you had a bad day. Yet these are all things that people do to deal with whatever problems they have. Cutting may not be a productive way to go about dealing with your issues, but neither are the other ways most people go about it.

People who cut are almost always NOT suicidal. Therefore, cutting is as dangerous as drinking when you're upset or taking some sleeping pills because you're so damn stressed you can't sleep. It's not healthy; it's not productive, but it gets you through the moment.

Cutting, however stupid you view the act to be, does not make the person who cuts stupid. I cut. I'm a senior in high school and I have a 3.98 GPA. My SAT was a 1980 my first take. I take two college-level courses as well as calculus and physics. I'm only seventeen and I've already had to help raise a child (he's not my son. He's my nephew.) I have a job that pays well for the hours. I have amazing friends. My father's an alcoholic, but that doesn't really matter much because I choose not to have a reltionship with him. I'm not attention-deprived. My mother and I are extremely close. I don't wear a pound of eyeliner and dye my hair black. I'm a freaking brunette and I don't wear much makeup at all. Did I mention that I've been cutting for four years and NOT ONE PERSON knows? No one has ever even suspected.

I'm an intelligent person, I just picked the wrong way to deal with my issues. I have a social life and I volunteer at local organizations; I don't sit at home depressed and feeling sorry for myself. I don't cut because of boyfriend issues because I've made the decision not to date. It would be pretty screwed up to enter into a reltionship when I'm dealing with this issue. And how can I possibly have done this for attention if the only people on earth who know are people on an internet forum who have no idea what my real identity is?

If you don't understand an issue, then don't act like you know exactly what's going on. I don't understand why people get drunk when they're upset; it doesn't make sense to me. But I'm not going to bash them simply because I don't understand it. I've never been there, so I can't possibly know. I don't agree with abortion, but I'm not going to tell a rape-victim that she's a terrible person for wanting one. I've never been raped. Who the hell am I to judge something like that?

I will agree that there are a lot of people who cut for attention, who display it on their arms hoping someone will see. Even some of that is legit, though. Maybe they're just tired of hiding it and they want someone to find out. Maybe not. Maybe they just want everyone to think they're cool.

I'll also agree, as I've said before, that it's not smart and it's not productive. There are a lot of things people do that are neither of those things. Just because the subject isn't familiar to you doesn't mean you have any right to assume what's going on in their heads. You're entitled to your opinion, of course. But don't make up your own facts about how cutters "are all attention seekers" or how all cutters "are suicidal" or how all cutters "are only doing it because of the trend."

^TLDR

The very fact that you cut yourself means you are in fact an idiot. You may be "book smart," but you are an idiot. Do not try to justify the fact that you cut yourself because you're a fucking retard. And yes, it is a trend. Im sure that you pride yourself for being an "authentic" cutter, you're a fucking cutter either way. What is the thought process in that, seriously? "Oh, I'm depressed, but I dont want to go to a shrink so instead I'll cut myself cause Im a fucking retard." Yes, you are a RETARD. That's actually an insult to retards. If there is anything worse in the intelligence scale, you and every other "cutter" will occupy that space. Jesus Christ, how could you honestly try to justify the fact that you cut yourself. Whatever bitch, knick a vein and bleed to death, it'll serve you right for being so fucking stupid.

At least my vocabulary contains more than five words. And I was able to express myself without completely coming off as an a-hole. Hm.

I didn't justify that I cut. I said that it was stupid. I said it wasn't productive. Maybe you should learn to read also.

And it's not a trend. That's a fact. Self-injury has been around for a very, very long time. It's only recently been shown to be a more widespread thing. Not because people just started doing it, but because people are open about it.

There's no such thing as an "authentic" cutter, what the hell are you talking about?

And I never said I was proud of cutting. I was simply refuting several mistated "facts" that people tried to use.

But I'm sure that someone as intelligent as you, who obviously never does anything stupid, realized that when you read it.

If I was an idiot, I would have been caught by now. If I was an idiot, I would whine about my problems to other people or seek attention. If I was an idiot, I would make sure everyone knew I was a cutter and bask in the attention. It's my own private matter that I deal with. If you're perfect, then by all means, of course you can call me whatever you wish. :)

And by the way, if I was suicidal, I wouldn't still be here, dumbass. I very much like living, thank you very much. I cut when I want to cope, no matter how stupid it is. But I'm not depressed all the time, and I'm a functioning member of society without medication.

And so far, I've proved myself to be more functioning than yourself. Since you can't seem to express yourself at all without saying the word "f**k" every three seconds or getting completely hysterical. I've been calm while typing this, while you're giving yourself a hernia because someone has differing opinions from your own. Chill out. Seriously.

And Steven, if it's too long for you to read, maybe you should have just refrained from posting at all. You can't make a point by staying ignorant.

i feel sorry for you.
for being so heartless. a trend? self infliction has been around forever. i do know that people use to whip their own backs for religious reasons.

This is completely random and off-topic, but I really like the picture in your signature. :)

hidingin lyrics has brought a lot of new light to my view on cutting; admittedly the rise of the "emo" trend led to a lot of lonely boys and girls raising small scars on their wrists with papercuts and the likes; but "serious" cutters; well I have several friends that have been that way inclined.

I'd just like to put a few thoughts down here, so don't mind if my flow's a little disjointed.

Putting aside the whole "emo" trend for a moment and assuming we're talking about the other side to cutting; it is a deep, dark secret. Scars and cuts and self-mutilation aren't just limited to the wrists like in most badly photoshopped 'love' graphics, but anywhere where the cutter (for lack of a better word) is able to hide the evidence. The top of the thighs, upper arms and the stomach are just a few places that some cutters choose.

Because of the release of endorphins and the natural high that cutting gives the body; being able to weather physical pain must mean that the cutter is strong enough to cope with emotional pain; or at least in their mind.

On a more personal note, everyone gets down. As people are different and variety beautiful, there's always going to be different methods of coping, relieving and moving on from and with stress and low points. I could never cut; I like my smooth skin. Does that mean I would cut if my vanity weren't quite so high? Possibly. But for those that do, it's a habit that takes a lot of willpower to break and anyone that has not experienced that feeling (myself included here) cannot really say with any justice why people cut or pertain to judging them for it.

I'd like to thank hidinginlyrics for sharing her experiences, you're very brave. Out of all of us, she is one of the few that can really discuss this matter with any degree of authority.

Wow, you people are so ignorant. So what if I swore, I could strip down to my tidy whities and jump around smacking people with a purple dildo and I'd still be smarter than that stupid bitch. Heartless? Why, cause I told this stupid cutter that I hope she knicks a vein and dies? Too bad, I do, and I will never apologize for it. You bring up the history of self-injury, like when people would whip themselves. Well first off, those were uncivilized times with simplistic views on everything, including religion which is why they did it in the first place. People who cut themselves today because their mommy doesnt talk to them are stupid and deserve to die or at least become horribly injured in some way so that they have a legitimate reason for being depressed.
Like your lives are so fucking hard, you're a bunch of complainers taking the easy way out and blaming everyone else for your life's problems, take some goddamn responsibility. If you want something to change, CHANGE IT! Don't mope around, don't cry in the dark and write poetry that no one will ever read or care about, for fuck's sake, DO NOT CUT YOURSELVES!
Honestly, how is that an issue? That's like saying to someone "Hey, don't put a fork in the outlet, it's not good for you." I feel like I'm talking to children, I know you're smarter than that. If you want to act like a child, go buy some toys and play all day, forget about your responsibilities, take the easy way out cause I know thats what you want.
Give up, start early because if you think these years are hard, just wait till your in your twenties. Or worse yet, your thirties. It doesnt get any easier morons, in fact it gets progressively harder. So yeah, kill yourselves. Do us all a favor and do it, please.
Im sure you all grew up thinking life was gonna be easy and everything always works out for the best, thats stupid thinking. In most cases, life sucks. Deal with it retard. The very fact that you're on a computer on the internet means you have it better than most of the world, so why all the complaining? Stop being so goddamn selfish and give back, instead of waiting for everyone to give to you.
How is this bravery? You're awarding her for taking the easy way out. She is a coward, nothing more. If someone has a problem, doesnt matter what it is, and they actually delve into the mindframe of body mutilation, they should seek help, go to therapy. Yes it's embarrassing, yes it's hard, and it will not be quick fix, but at least you're working progressively on your problems. People who cut themselves are constantly feeding their depression, and lets be fucking honest, you're depressed. Unless you're a dominatrix psycho sex fiend who loves the feeling of pain, than there is no logical explanation for actually hurting yourself.
I've read the comparison to drinking and smoking which also harms the body. True, it does, and alcoholics need help too, so do potheads. These people are cowards, they are not brave, they are not anything. But at least through drinking and smoking there is a result. What is the result of cutting, other than a scar and the sight of blood? Fucking creeps, thats what you are.

You really didn't read or understand anything I wrote, did you? Lol

I said that my mother gives me plenty of attention. I also said that I don't sit home and feel sorry for myself 24/7. I'm more active in my school and community than most of the, uh, "normal people."

You don't know me. You can't know whether I'm a bitch or not.

I'm really not going to say anything else to you, because you don't even read what anyone is saying. You just keep repeating yourself. And you don't make any sense. And you're making up your own facts.

So be ignorant. It doesn't affect me at all.

LOL.

you still haven't really told us why you cut.

Then why do you cut apart from the fact that you're unhappy of course.
Podomaht is making sense. You seem as if you've got everything going on well for you.
Care to explain the real reason behind you cutting? Depression (no doubt)?

Ha, I love you.

I'm another person who can speak on this with authority.
I am a recovering self-injurer. I will be considered that for the rest of my life probably.
I quit about a year ago. I've had a few minor relapses since then, but for the most part, I've been "clean"

And I'd like to present a completely different view than most of the "cutters" here.
Of all the people posting recently, I'd agree most with The-Abominable-CPillar.
I don't agree with the way he's stating his points. I don't think that we should be quite so harsh.
but I don't think we should try to be "understanding"
I don't think we should try to be sympathetic.
They don't need sympathy. They need the truth.

This isn't my first time posting on this thread. I first posted on it Aug. 1, 2005. Over two years ago.
At that point, I had been cutting for about a year and was thoroughly addicted. And I was still denying that it was a problem.

I did a good amount of ranting on it Nov. 4, 2006 too. Soon after my last major relapse.
Just bringing up a few of my points from that day:
Eventually, you will regret every cut.
You'll realize that it's cost you friends, time, and money. You've lost valuable pieces of your life to it.
You will have covered yourself in scars that will never go away. you'll realize how ugly they are. everytime you see them, you'll be reminded of a time in your life you would be much better served to forget.
And then imagine explaining it to a spouse/significant other. Imagine explaining it to your children someday.
Because trust me, people will ask.
You'll be marked forever. set apart.

Get help before it gets out of hand. Being good at hiding it doesn't make you smart. It makes you f**king stupid. Tell someone. Get help. Yeah, it's embarassing. It's not something that you want other people to know. And I'm not gonna lie, recovery isn't easy. In fact, it really sucks at times.
But you need to get help.

So here's the truth for you:
Anyone who cuts is just a f**king idiot.

I'm honestly, against this. I mean, there are other ways where you can relieve stress other than cutting yourself. My friend cut herself with glass, and I literally smacked her in the head. Cutting yourself only makes your problems worse. It doesn't help you with ANYTHING. People who cut themselves are just doing this to hide from their problems, which they shouldn't do. They should be fighting against the problem. So to all the people who DO cut themselves: Stop. It won't help you. You make think it is, but it really isn't. If you are having serious problems, definitely talk to your school counselor or to a trustworthy adult.

^ Some school counselors are idiots.


I have a friend who does. It's hard for her to stop. She's been called down to counselor's office a couple times and they don't help much. I wish she didn't. I just try to be there for her. I can't control what she does.

School counselors are idiots sometimes but my friend got good help from couselors. They talked to her about why she was doing it and stuff. And they tried to get her mom more involved and stuff.

I know someone who got kicked out of school because her school counselor found out she was cutting.

wow this topic has been up for awhile. ya and i cut myself today, well it was just a paper cut but you wouldnt believe how much that sucker bled.

on a more serious note dont cut its bad for you. try booze, sex, pills, killing small animals, killing small people, etc.