TeenHelp - Triggering (SH): Why is cutting bad?

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- - Triggering (SH): Why is cutting bad? (http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-self-harm/t131391-why-cutting-bad/)

Why is cutting bad?

I'm in therapy as of recently, so I'm not comfortable asking my therapist this yet, but this is a serious question. I've self harmed for over 6 months now, and I've always had the thought that I had to stop because it's bad. But why is it bad? I'm already getting help, I don't cut too deep, I use sterile "tools" and clean the cuts after, and I hide them so nobody can see them so I'm not scaring others. And cutting helps me. Its distracts me from my thoughts. So why is it bad? I can only see the upside and can't figure out why it's so wrong. Yes, it means that there's something wrong with me, but I'm already getting professional help. Any thoughts?

Re: Why is cutting bad?

It is wonderful that you're at least getting help for the self harm.

Even though the tools are sterile, there is still a chance of infection. Also, what's to say that on a bad day, you don't cut deeper? Sometimes I've noticed that it starts out shallow, but sometimes after a while you need to do more to get the same affect that you did when you first started out, and because of that you either cuts or go deeper. That may mean either you have to move away from your normal hiding places to get more cuts in, or cut deeper. I'm not saying this will happen to you necessarily, but it's something to look out for.

Also, the problems come back as I am sure you know, since you are getting help for it. You aren't really doing anything to solve the problems by self harming,

Then there's just the fact that you're inflicting pain on yourself, and nobody deserves to feel so low where they have to resort to injuring themselves in order to stop feeling that way.

Again, I'm not necessarily saying this will happen to you, but sometimes I look at the cuts and feel guilty.

I do hope that you will be able to be honest with your therapist soon! :hug:

-Dez

Re: Why is cutting bad?

Hey there,

I think it is great that you are seeking counseling for your self harm. I think that is definitely a step in the right direction.

I think that the reasons why self harm is bad vary from person to person. You have to come to the realization that it is bad and come up with your own reasons as to why. It took me a long time to come up with my own reasons and to really believe those reasons. While you are making sure to cut with sterile tools there is still a chance that you could end up getting an infection. And, getting an infection could be really dangerous. Also, as Dez stated, there is always a chance that you will end up having to go deeper to get the same feeling. See, as time goes by the superficial cuts don't always give you the same feeling and so you start having to cut deeper to get the same feeling. This could be dangerous because you don't know what types of things you might cut in your body.

Another reason self harming is bad is because you are inflicting pain upon yourself and your don't deserve that pain. I know right now you might feel as though you deserve that pain but that is a lie. You deserve to live a happy and healthy life and self harm takes you away from living that life.

I really hope that this helped in some way and if you need anything please feel free to message me.

Re: Why is cutting bad?

What defines something as good or bad? It's a subjective thing. One person may view it as something to be avoided, while another person truly enjoys it. Remember that there is no right or wrong viewpoint here. I am in the same boat as you. I believe that if someone is knowledgeable in medicine and anatomy, they should do whatever they want with their bodies when it comes to harm. I only consider it "bad" when they aren't clean about it, or they cut in dangerous areas or make careless mistakes. That leads to accidents that nobody wants to have to deal with.