Cutting Addiction: Why Do People Cut Themselves?

Last Updated on Thu, 01 Feb 2024 | Intervention Support

Cutting and other forms of self-harm are medical illnesses that occur when patients hurt themselves to help deal with deep-set emotions or distress. The prevalence of intentional self-injury is increasing and understanding the totality of the disease is complex. Proper, swift treatment is the best way to help prevent any dire consequences of cutting.

Why Do People Cut Themselves?

The motives behind cutting are often counterintuitive. For an individual who does the behavior, cutting himself is how he makes himself feel better. Often, cutting is the only way he knows how to deal with negative emotions like depression, rage, guilt, emptiness and self-hatred, according to TeensHealth.

Most people who inflict self-harm do so because they need relief from all the pent-up emotions they are experiencing. Like an addiction, these people are not in full control of their actions, but rather seek the intense relief they experience after cutting themselves.

Cutters perceive that the action provides them with positive benefits. It allows them to express their feeling and feel in control. Cutting may distract them from difficult life events, relieve guilt as it can be used as a form of self-punishment, and for some cutters, make them feel more alive.

It is important to know why people cut themselves because once you know the reasons behind their actions, you can provide other options that provide the same benefits. This allows the cutter to stop cutting and use other, safer methods to deal with their emotions.

Where People Cut Themselves

Risk Factors

  • About
  • What They Are

About the Risk Factors

Cutting is a seriously dangerous behavior. While each person cuts for different reasons, there are some commonalities seen amongst the group. There are certain risk factors that may put an individual at an increased risk for cutting.

These risk factors help in the diagnosis of a cutting disorder; however, these factors by themselves do not always lead to cutting. A more thorough examination is required to determine if and why a person is cutting.

How to Tell if a Loved One Is Cutting

  • About
  • Signs & Symptoms

Clothing and a calm demeanor can easily disguise cutting and other forms of self-injury. Your loved one may be experiencing inner turmoil but none of the pain is evident on her face. There are, however, some warning signs that may help you identify the disease. If you recognize these signs in your loved one, it’s important to seek help. Without treatment, cutting can lead to other more dangerous activities.

Gauging the Severity of Cutting

Once the diagnosis has been established, physicians attempt to gauge the severity of the cutting disorder. They will set up a series of interviews that identify the extent of the illness and the effectiveness of treatment.

They may ask questions about when the cutting began, how often it occurs, what triggers the cutting episodes, any underlying issues, and whether the patient has thoughts about suicide. Doctors also ask about previous history of mental illness, any forms of treatment the patient received, the patient’s future plans, and about social relationships.

All of these questions help the doctor determine the extent of the illness and what form of treatment is best. In mild cases, the patient will be advised to enroll in a support group that can help them deal with their emotional stresses.

More severe cases require intense behavioral therapy and psychological evaluation. The treatment regimen in these cases may require the use of medications. The goal for this type of treatment is to treat all underlying psychological disorders and to provide the patient with alternative methods of dealing with powerful negative emotions.

cutting complications depression and suicide

Complications

In the long run, cutting does not help alleviate emotional turmoil and often leads to a variety of complications. Some complications are relatively minor and can be reversed. Unfortunately, there are other complications that are more permanent or untreatable.

According to the Mayo Clinic, cutting actually aggravates the person’s feelings of shame or low self-esteem. Cutting only temporarily resolves the negative emotions and does nothing to resolve any longstanding emotional issues. This causes the emotions to build over time and they can then overwhelm the patient.

Cutting increases the risk of developing infection, either from the self-inflicted wounds or from sharing cutting tools. Most cutters do not practice proper hygiene and can contract infectious diseases from contaminated cutting implements. There are some reports of cutters dying after contracting an infection due to their cutting habits.

If a major artery or vein is cut, the individual is at risk of bleeding to death. At best the frequent blood letting will lead to anemia, which can damage other organs within the body.

The risk of suicide (whether accidental or deliberate) is increased in people who cause self-harm. In cases of accidental suicide, the patient unintentionally cuts a major blood vessel. To make matters worse, these patients often cut themselves while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and these substances increase the chances of suicide.

Permanent scars or horrible disfigurement are also possible complications of cutting. In rare cases, the cutter will destroy a vital tendon or nerve and thus lose the ability to control their hands or legs. In some cases, function can be restored, but in other cases, the paralysis is permanent.

In long-term cases of cutting, the behavior becomes a compulsion. Cutters will seek out times and areas where they can cut themselves. Even if they don’t want to, they have become addicted to the cutting behavior.

The Need for an Intervention

Once you are able to determine that your loved one is cutting, you will obviously want to help him or her. A healthcare professional is always ready to help treat cutting disorders, but it may be difficult to convince your loved one to seek treatment. People who mutilate themselves are very secretive and do not want to share their actions with anyone. If you confront your loved one without preparation, they will usually react with anger and denial.

Staging an intervention is one of the more effective ways to approach someone suffering from a self-harming disorder. The intervention setting allows for a secure, somewhat private place for the cutter and his or her loved ones to hold a compassionate discussion. A proper dialogue can begin between the team members and their loved one. In an intervention, personal feeling and emotions can be expressed without worrying about hurting or damaging a relationship. Everyone in the intervention will know that the main goal is to help the cutter and make sure that they are well cared for.

Using a professional interventionist is also a good idea. Without proper planning, you may drive the cutter deeper into his or her feelings of depression, anger and guilt. A trained interventionist has studied the best ways to approach different patients and make sure they are comfortable within the intervention model.

Continue reading here: How to Stop Being an Enabler

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Readers' Questions

  • berilac whitfoot
    Why do ppl cut themselves?
    10 months ago
    • Self-harm, including cutting oneself, is a complex and multifaceted issue. It can be difficult to explain why individuals engage in this behavior as motivations can vary from person to person. It is important to approach this topic with empathy and understanding, rather than judgment. Some potential reasons why individuals may engage in self-harm like cutting include:
    1. Emotional distress: Self-harm can sometimes serve as a coping mechanism for individuals struggling with intense emotional pain, such as depression, anxiety, or feelings of emptiness. It may provide temporary relief or distraction from overwhelming emotions.
    2. Self-punishment: Some individuals may use self-harm as a way to punish themselves for perceived faults or failures. They may have low self-esteem or a negative self-image and believe they deserve pain or punishment.
    3. Communication or control: Self-harm can sometimes be a way for individuals to communicate their distress to others when they find it challenging to express their emotions verbally. It can also provide them with a sense of control when they feel powerless in other areas of life.
    4. Seeking relief: Some individuals may turn to self-harm as a way to feel something physical, as they may struggle with feeling numb or detached emotionally. The pain inflicted can temporarily provide a sense of relief or grounding.
      5. It's important to note that self-harm is not a healthy or effective way to cope with emotional pain, and individuals who engage in self-harming behaviors may benefit from seeking professional help and support from mental health experts. If you or someone you know is struggling with self-harm, it is important to encourage them to confide in a trusted person and seek professional help.
    • frederick
      Why do people cut theirself?
      10 months ago
      • The act of self-harm, including cutting oneself, is a complex issue that can have various underlying reasons. Some common motivations behind self-harm include seeking relief from overwhelming emotions or mental distress, attempting to regain control in difficult situations, self-punishment or self-blame, and communicating inner pain that is difficult to express verbally. It is important to remember that self-harm is a sign of deep distress and should be taken seriously. If you or someone you know is engaging in self-harm, it is crucial to seek professional help from a mental health expert.
      • Katherine
        Why do people cut themself?
        1 year ago
        • I'm really sorry to hear that you or someone you know may be experiencing self-harm. It's essential to reach out for support and talk to a mental health professional who can provide guidance and assistance.
        • Irma
          Why do ppl cut themselves?
          1 year ago
          • People who cut themselves are often trying to cope with extremely difficult feelings and emotions. They may feel overwhelmed by these feelings or may not know how to express them or talk about them. Cutting is a way for them to express these feelings and provide a form of temporary relief from the stress and pain they are feeling.
          • maximilian k
            Why is self harm addicting?
            1 year ago
            • Self-harm can become addictive because it provides a temporary relief from overwhelming feelings such as depression, anxiety, or stress. It can become a way of coping and can lead to feelings of control and relief from distress. It can also become a way of punishing oneself for perceived failures or shortcomings.
            • duenna gaukrogers
              Is cutting an addiction?
              1 year ago
              • Cutting an addiction involves committing to making positive changes that will help you manage your triggers and reduce your reliance on the addictive behavior. This may include talking to a mental health professional, attending a support group, participating in healthy activities, changing your environment, and/or avoiding triggers.
              • bridget carbone
                Why do drug addicts cut themselves?
                1 year ago
                • Drug addicts may cut themselves as a way to release emotional pain, anxiety, or stress. Through cutting, they can temporarily release emotional distress and become numb to their situation. It is also believed that, in some cases, cutting can provide an outlet to express emotional pain or anger without the need to verbally express it to anyone else.
                • eeva
                  Why do people cut them selfs?
                  1 year ago
                  • People who self-injure often do so to cope with overwhelming emotions, suicidal feelings, or as a way to cope with past trauma. They may feel like they can’t express their feelings in any other way and turn to self-injury as a way to manage their pain.
                  • FIKRU HAMID
                    Why do ppl cut themselves?
                    1 year ago
                    • People who cut themselves are often driven to do so by feelings of intense emotional distress and hopelessness. They often use cutting as a way of relieving feelings of overwhelming tension and emotional pain. They may also do it to feel in control of their own bodies, or as a way of expressing intense emotions they are unable to express in any other way.
                    • marzio
                      Why do people cut themselfs?
                      1 year ago
                      • People who self-harm do so for many reasons, including trying to cope with difficult emotions, to find relief from emotional pain, to express anger, as a distraction from other thoughts or as a way to punish themselves. It's important to understand that people who self-harm are not trying to harm themselves - instead it's often a way of managing difficult and painful emotions.
                      • mat
                        Why do people cut themselve?
                        1 year ago
                        • People who self-harm are usually trying to cope with intense emotional pain and overwhelming situations, often in the absence of other coping skills. It can be a way to express and take control of their inner emotional pain, as well as a distraction from the loneliness, confusion, and chaos they may feel.
                        • AATIFA
                          Why to eend cut themselves?
                          1 year ago
                          • Self-harm is a coping mechanism utilized by many people to deal with overwhelming stress, intense emotions, or trauma. People who self-harm often do so in an attempt to find some relief or sense of control over their feelings or life. It is important to note that self-harm is not a healthy way to cope with stress or trauma and can cause potentially serious implications. It is important to seek professional help from a therapist, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional if you are self-harming or feel like you may be at risk of self-harming.
                          • ella
                            Why is cutting like doing drugs?
                            1 year ago
                            • Cutting, like doing drugs, is a way for individuals to numb emotional pain or cope with stress. Both cutting and doing drugs involve self-destructive behavior that has the potential to cause physical and psychological harm. Additionally, both cutting and doing drugs can become addictive, as individuals rely on them as a means of escape from reality.
                            • helen
                              Why is cutting addictive?
                              1 year ago
                              • Cutting can become an addictive behavior because it allows a person to momentarily escape feelings of intense emotional distress. The physical pain and distraction of the act can help to temporarily relieve feelings of anxiety, fear, sadness, or anger. Additionally, the body can become addicted to the endorphins and adrenaline that are released during the act. Finally, if self-harm is used as a coping mechanism, people can become dependent on it to deal with difficult emotions or stressful situations.
                              • tullia
                                Why is cutting addicting?
                                1 year ago
                                • Cutting is a form of self-injury that can be addicting because it releases endorphins, which can give a feeling of relief from stress or pain. Additionally, the physical pain from cutting can serve as a distraction from emotional pain, creating a sense of control and temporary relief. This can lead to a cycle of addictive behavior, with individuals experiencing a sense of relief and then feeling the need to cut again to achieve the same feeling.