The purpose of self-harm
When someone harms themselves by cutting, burning, punching, or engaging in other forms of self-injury (without intending for death to be an end goal), they’re engaging in what’s known as non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Cutting is the most common form of NSSI, and it’s often misunderstood. In this article, we’ll discuss:
- why cutting may become an addiction
- the history of cutting
- how inaccurate media portrayal is
- the difference between cutting and suicide attempts
- treatment options and where to turn to for support
Why do people cut themselves?
People cut as a coping mechanism, according to Cornell University’s Self-Injury and Recovery Research and Resources (SIRRR). Self-harm can be a way for a person to feel something when experiencing numbness or to distract themselves from depression or anxiety. Some people cut to create a wound that can symbolize their emotional pain, while others use cutting as a way to avoid telling loved ones about their feelings.
There can be a link between self-harm and childhood trauma like physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect. Other links include mental health issueslike:
- borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- suicidality
- anxiety
- depression
Cutting does not have a profile or pattern
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine estimates that 1 to 4 percent of adults and approximately 15 percent of teens in the United States engage in self-harm. College students appear to be the group at the greatest risk with rates ranging from 17 to 35 percent.
But self-harm isn’t limited to a group, gender, or age. Psychologist Dr. Vijayeta Sinh, PhD, owner of NYC Family Therapy, says children as young as 9 and 10, teens, college students, and even adults in their 40s and 50s cut.
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