Why does pain make me feel better?

[alexalauren]

I know it's bad, and I should find better ways to deal with things, but sometimes pain is just easier. Physical pain is tangible and present; it helps me escape from the confusing state of emotional pain.
I've never been one to cut or inflict any self-harm before, but right now it's very appealing. I've only tried it a few times - nothing hard core - just scratches here and there...but I like how it makes me feel. They're just little scratches. I know they'll heal without scarring and they won't hurt me long term. It just makes me feel better. I know it's not good...but I do it anyway. I don't really want to stop, though something in my rational brain is telling me I probably need help...so I thought I'd start here.

[BlaineG.]

Hello,

I am sorry that you are struggling with cutting right now. As a self harmer I understand how you want to do it but you have to avoid it because just a few cuts is going to turn into 5 or 10 and then they are going to scar. There are many dangers to cutting. Please don't cut.

Stay away from cutting!!!!

Take Care,

Blaine G.

[Diaminohexanoate]

Hey Alexa,

There are a few reasons cutting might make you feel better. First of all, when you cut, you're damaging your body. When your body is damaged, it releases certain chemicals, one of which is adrenaline (epinephrine if you're British). This is the same chemical your body releases when, for example, you suddenly get scared, or when you're about to take a big exam, or something like that. It's our body's natural response to stress, and it numbs both physical and emotional pain.

Another reason is quite well summed up in some lyrics at the beginning of a Marianas Trench song, Say Anything:

That little ***** with her head held
So high, talking ****, and I
Cut myself so I could feel something I
Know is not a lie.

It's pretty much the reason you said. I've felt it too -- cutting gives you something real to feel when all you have in your head is a swirling mess of doubt and uncertainty.

That's why the urge to cut is so strong.

BUT all this aside, I super strongly recommend you don't start cutting. I started off by scratching myself on the arm with a pin, thinking that this was definitely only going to happen once... long story short that was more than a year ago and since then I've given myself some pretty serious injuries by cutting. Even today there are still some times I have to try pretty hard to keep from slicing myself open.

Sorry if that was a little too graphic or triggering for you, but I really just wanted to drive this point home: It's really, fundamentally not a fun way to live and I beg you to please, please not start.

Please PM me, or anyone else, if you need anything. We're all with you.

[Childish Giggle]

Originally Posted by alexalauren

I know it's bad, and I should find better ways to deal with things, but sometimes pain is just easier. Physical pain is tangible and present; it helps me escape from the confusing state of emotional pain.
I've never been one to cut or inflict any self-harm before, but right now it's very appealing. I've only tried it a few times - nothing hard core - just scratches here and there...but I like how it makes me feel. They're just little scratches. I know they'll heal without scarring and they won't hurt me long term. It just makes me feel better. I know it's not good...but I do it anyway. I don't really want to stop, though something in my rational brain is telling me I probably need help...so I thought I'd start here.

Hey Alexa,

Firstly I want to congratulate you on making this thread. Getting help is very important and you have taken a step towards it. So kudos!
Now, I know that the pain makes it feel better. But this is only short term.
Its scratching right now, and may seem harmless but it is not. This is where addiction to cutting starts. You will soon want to inflict more and more pain. So it is my request that stop here before it gets worse.
You don't want the scars that you can get from SH. You don't want to keep hiding them for the rest of your life. You don't want to make excuses in front of people when asked about them. In the long term this is not what you want. This is not what helps in the long term.
I hope that you have seen this list of alternatives-
http://www.teenhelp.org/forums/f12-s...ves-self-harm/

If you want to talk about anything, feel free to PM/VM me
Stay strong <3
-Pisces

[SM13]

Hey

I know how you are feeling. When I first started it was like you. I thought it was no big deal cuz I'm not actually bleeding or anything. I just wanna let you know that cutting is one slippery slope. In a matter of weeks I went totally down hill. Please try to stop before sopping seems impossible. I know it feels good doing it but try to stop before you need that feeling to get you through the tough times. It seems like no big deal at first, but trust me you do not want to go down that road.
~SM~

[XxraevynxX]

thts how i started out... now i have scars almost to my elbow and i dont have anymore space to cut... please try to stop... its rlly not good... i totally understand how it goes and it seems ok at 1st but l8r it becomes ur life... u dont rlly know anything other than cutting and depression....