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Cutting
Okay, so you may have seen or heard
something about cutting. Or maybe you’re doing it personally.
Whatever brought you here, we want you to know more about cutting:
what it is; who
does it; why people do it; and how to get help for you or a friend
to stop hurting inside and out.
What is cutting?
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Cutting is when someone takes something
sharp, like a razor, knife, scissors or piece of glass, and
runs it along a part of their
body, usually to the point of bleeding or bruising.
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Most cuts are made on arms, wrists and legs.
Sometimes, people cut their chest, stomach, face, neck, breasts
or genitals.
Cutting on the arms and wrists is the most common because it’s
often easier to make up excuses for marks on these parts of the body,
something like “My cat scratched me,” or “I
had an accident in the kitchen.”
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Cutting is a form of self-injury, or
self-mutilation. Some people also call it slashing or slicing.
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Besides cutting, people may hurt themselves
in other ways, including scratching, burning skin with a lighter,
punching or headbutting.
Basically, people cut to deal with difficult problems
or feelings, but there are better, healthier ways to cope.
Who cuts?
About two million people in the U.S. hurt
themselves in some way. Most are teenagers or young adults, and they’re
from all races and backgrounds. To hide their cutting, they often
wear clothing
like long pants or shirts, even in warm weather.
Why do people cut?
For most people, it’s hard
to understand why anyone would intentionally hurt themselves. But,
for those
who cut, there are
a few reasons.
- Some people say they do it because
of emotional pain they can't put into words.
- Some say it gives them a sense of control when other
things in their life are out of control, like a break-up, a friend
who’s
sick or a parents’ divorce.
- Some people cut to punish themselves
for troubling thoughts or acts.
- Some find the act soothing, and it
makes them feel alive.
- Some cut to get a reaction from other
people.
No matter the reason, cutting is a serious, dangerous behavior,
and may be a sign of another problem.
Many people who cut themselves also have an eating disorder
like anorexia or bulimia. Some may be experiencing depression.
Others
may have been sexually or physically abused.
Is cutting a suicide attempt?
Usually, people who cut aren't trying
to kill themselves. At the same time, cutting can be life-threatening.
In fact, sometimes, people
can’t control the injury and die accidentally.
If you or someone you know is
thinking about killing themselves, contact 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
immediately to talk to a crisis
center in your area. Suicide is never the answer to your problems.
How can I help a friend with this?
- Ask about it. Friends
with cutting problems are often glad to be able talk about it.
If you bring it up and this person isn’t
self-injuring, it won’t start just because you
said something about it.
- Offer options but don't tell
your friend what to do. If someone’s
using cutting or some other kind of self-injury as
a way to feel in control, it won't help if you try
to take control. Helping
someone
see ways to get help - like talking to a parent, teacher,
school counselor or mental health professional- may be the best thing
you can do.
- Seek support. Knowing a friend is going
through this can be frightening and stressful. Consider
telling a teacher or someone
else you trust. And remember, even if you don't want to share your friend’s
secret, you can still talk to a mental health professional
about how it is affecting you.
Remember you're not responsible for ending your
friend’s self-abuse.
You can't force someone to stop or to get help from a professional.
What you can do, always, is keep being a good friend.
How can I help myself?
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Talk to someone you trust. Maybe it’s
a parent or a good friend or a school counselor. Tell them you’re
cutting yourself, and want to stop. Ask them to help you find
help. Know that you
may get
some tough reactions like denial or sadness or anger, but that
will pass. If you're not comfortable with that, contact a local
mental
health group or a HOTLINE.
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Get help. Cutting isn’t something
to deal with on your own. There are therapists and support groups
who can help you work
through what makes you cut. Even if you’re nervous about getting
help, take this step, because NOW is the best time to do it.
If you wait,
the problem will only get bigger and harder to hide. And remember,
you can stop cutting.
To find help near you, contact
your local Mental Health Association or the National Mental Health Association at 800-969-NMHA
(6642).
Other Resources
Girls and Boys Town USA
www.girlsandboystown.org
Hotline: 1-800-448-3000
Child Help USA
www.childhelpusa.org
1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453)
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