That plea for attention //is// a cry for help -.-

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Sometimes, absolutely. But I've heard from numerous people I know that do, or did cut that they do/did it simply because they like being in the limelight.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

lol. They like/liked being in the limelight.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

If they will resort to harming themselves for attention, they have a problem and need help.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I love how this is downvoted but no one could reply.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I don't understand why people cut themselves at all. It doesn't seem very productive. Can someone enlighten me?

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Emotional or mental pain is sometimes extremely hard to disregard or forget about depending on how serious it is. Inflicting physical pain on oneself usually masks the emotional pain and gives the self-harmed something else to focus on for the time being. It is counter-productive in some cases because a lot of people are embarrassed because of the scars. But a lot of times it does take away the emotional pain which is a great thing for some people that cut. Why feel miserable every day in your head when instead you can have a cut that can eventually heal?this is the reason why I cut but it could be different for everyone who does self-harm.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I knew someone who cut because they felt they needed to punish themselves. Also, a cut that will eventually heal? That's an obscenely nice way to put it. It really depends on how deep you cut. The cutters I know are deeply troubled people who take chunks out of their flesh and have scars on their wrists and legs that will be with them until their body completely decays.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I know the cuts never really go away but it essentially does "heal". Depending on the cut it will stop hurting. Usually what I do I scratch at myself until I bleed. The cut hurts for a few weeks after and leaves a nasty scar. They don't hurt anymore but it'll always be there.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I do it because the emotional pain is too overwhelming and I need a physical outlet for pain. It feels...different, in a kind of good way. I deserve to be in pain and punished for being a monster.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

You like to turn the table, and be in charge of afflicting your pain- helps you feel in control and helps you cope.. Would dare say that the minimal damage you cause your self is better than what you consider to be the alternative. Life gets better. GB.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I thought that was sooo 2008.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

A friend of mine says she did it, just to try it. I thought that was almost rude.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

That's how it started for me. I had a friend who had done it, and one day shortly after my cousin and sisters' deaths, I "tried" it. Problem was, my friend was over it in a few weeks and I was left alone with a huge problem that I had to fight for years. It is a serious prOblem and anyone who renders their own flesh NEEDS attention, wether it's medical, emotional, or psychiatric... Or even just someone they can trust to share their problems with.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Is that not the same thing? People crying out for help need attention. However, I can't stand the little bitches that display their wounds. I was an Emo kid before "Emo" existed, crying out for attention because I Needed Help, but I tried to hide my cuts like a dirty little secret/addiction I couldn't escape. The sad thing is that some of these people need real help but are dismissed by people who think they just want attention. BTW, kids who cut: one day your children will want you to explain your scars.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Shit, if people are okay with displaying their scars/cuts, let them be. I never got it but I'm not that person. I'm just now, after six years of SH, able to wear shot sleeves, but everyone moves at their own pace. Everyone deals with it differently. As long as they're not shouting at everyone to look at their cuts, it doesn't seem "attention seeking" to me. And needing attention that much is a sign of a mental disorder/emotional distress as well. Not always, but you never know. Explaining my scars to my future children is honestly one of my biggest fears, and ironically also one of my biggest triggers. It's enough to make me seriously reconsider having children.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

"As long as they're not shouting at everyone to look at their cuts, it doesn't seem "attention seeking" to me. " This is exactly what I meant by this post. I know too many people that do that. They'll walk up to you and show you or talk to you about them. and you're just like dude... really? If it was really important to you, you would AVOID telling people. You know? That's just my opinion.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Well, I am here to tell you, 8yrs free, that my kiddo saved my life, and I am an excellent mom- no matter how hard it was growing up. My heart goes out to you.. Triggers never really go away, but the loudness of the bang that follows gets smaller and smaller. Much love and GB :)

by Anonymous 11 years ago

How do you explain your scars? Just curious.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Right now, my son is only 7, so that is an advantage. As he gets older, and continues to question, I will give him more details, but right now it has been explained that "I hurt myself when I was younger."..He asks how, and I say "I cut myself." Although I am being 100% honest, his mind doesn't fathom that I did it intentionally, only that the scars came from cuts- most likely because most children his age couldn't imagine causing their own pain.. As he ages and becomes more inquisitive/observant, I will offer more details as I see fit for his age. I do not plan to keep anything about my past from him because I want him to hopefully learn from the misfortunes of my past, by hearing my stories, rather than just telling him "don't do this" or "don't do that."

by Anonymous 11 years ago

People usually don't ask about my scars, they just stare. I don't explain anything.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I meant to her son. I have scars too. People don't usually ask, I know.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

That's kind of awkward though, showing my thighs to my children. And anyway, you can get rid of scars.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

My scars are on my forearms, but you would be surprised at how privacy disappears when you have kids.. Kids that might want to go swimming one day.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Like I said, you can get rid of scars. Or they'll fade over Time.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

Mine remind me of where I have been. You may be able to get rid of scars, but like cutting, it doesn't erase the pain or the past.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

People with sh experience: while causing harm to yourself.. There isn't too much conventional pain- as in- if you do it, fine, but if you Accidently burn the crap out of yourself or get a really deep papercut on say a cardboard box, it freakin HURTS dangit.

by Anonymous 11 years ago

I know, omg. My mom would always be like "Oh, so you can cut yourself, but you freak out over a paper cut? Isn't it the same thing?" -_______________-

by Anonymous 11 years ago

That's why I always wear arm warmers, long sleeves, and never wear shorts. I don't want people to look at the scars and the healing wounds. I want people to see me for me, and when I get comfortable enough around them, I might get lazy one day, not notice when my arm warmers are slipping, and they might see my scars. If they ask, I'll talk, if not then oh well. When I cut I do so in private and cover up any possible evidence, but I never clean the wound. It makes it hurt more which I feel I deserve. Usually after I cut I want to ask someone for help, or even during the process I'll think of how much I need someone to help me, but I never do because I'm afraid I'll just be bothering them or they won't believe me, or think I'm just seeking attention. So I'll just stare at my phone thinking "I should text someone" but I don't. That's too attention-seeking for me. Is that actually attention-seeking or is my mind overthinking things?

by Anonymous 10 years ago

No.. Get help- nothing wrong with that! But get it from a pro! I wish I saw this sooner but took a LOOONG break from the site. I was trying to get taken away from an abusive home (didn't work) but I sought help with counselors- cutting may put you in control, but eventually it will control you. :/ praying it's gotten better since this post.

by Anonymous 9 years ago