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Why is it that cutting is so addicting?

I mean, at first I did it to punish myself, but now I just find it entertaining and exhilerating. Anyone else feel that way?
Posted 8 months ago
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We've already answered this question here. When your body is injured, your brain releases endorphins and adrenaline. The pain is just your body's way of letting you know you are injured so that you can avoid further injury to that area. Your brain can become addicted to the chemical rush associated with pain, however.
Posted 8 months ago

Other 6 Answers to Why is it that cutting is so addicting?


Posted Mar 23rd, 2009 at 10:18PM
Yes I completely know how you feel. I don't find it entertaining but it just feels so good which makes it is so hard to stop. It has something to do with a chemical that makes you feel better being released in your brain.
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Posted Mar 23rd, 2009 at 10:19PM
yes i was addicted for a year people dont know how fast it becomes addictive its a danger, it was hard to stop but im glad i did.
it starts off with just the odd pinch and then u need more and more i had to do it not for relief but to function. my advice would be to slow it down then stop and when you are ready to get help get it.
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Posted Mar 23rd, 2009 at 10:48PM
My opinion is that while you don't say what sex you are, many young females do this. Some guys do it, but not as many...they tend to do other things that might just kill them.

This is between you and well...you...if you believe in God, then between you and Him.

Many young females punish themselves for something that was not their fault. It was because someone did something to them that hurt them emotionally. Usually, it is because of some betrayal.

They punish themselves because they feel guilty. They take responsibility. And, well...cutting, for whatever reason, seems to take that "guilt" away. Just like anything else...it only works for a time or two, and then it's no longer effective. And since you got "hooked" on hurting yourself, it's something you "need." And, it doesn't take the pain away anymore.

Unless you get help, and soon, you will reach for other inappropriate things to make you "feel better." And they will fail. Eventually, you'll take that last risk, and you will die prematurely.

I would suggest that you find a counselor, or psychologist. I don't think you need a psychiatrist (yet...that's medication...could make things potentially worse). Then, see about some new clothes, getting your hair styled, making yourself look good to feel good. Then, go do something nice for someone else. Keep on doing those things. And what I mean by nice is helping someone take in the groceries, or mow someone's lawn, go sit next to your grandmother and have a conversation. Go shopping with your mother. But, stay away from drugs, alcohol, and people who use them. That is the kind of crowd that will get you cutting again, and you don't need that.
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Posted Mar 23rd, 2009 at 11:13PM
When you injure yourself your body releases endorphins, natural pain killers, that bind to opiate receptors and activate the reward center in your brain. It is the way your body copes with injury and allows you to get where you need to get for help before you become incapable of getting there when they wear off. It helps you deal with the shock of injury and keeps your spirits up. Some people also feel like they deserve to be hurt and when they are it gives them a sense of satisfaction because that reward center is triggered in the brain and instead of realizing it is because of the chemical release in the body, people think they are responding to the act, a reinforcer, and it makes them think they are doing the right thing because it feels good. It is just like being addicted to an opiate but with more of a masochistic motivation.
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Posted Mar 24th, 2009 at 12:10AM
It allows you to release your anger and pain so that you don't have to feel it mentaly because you feel it physically. It feels like hatred and power and the power builds from the hatred and feeds off of it. It is very addicting and I still have the urge. It's just as strong as the urge to smoke, but worse because cutting was MINE. I owned it, I did it, I controlled it, and nobody could take it away from me. I am glad that I got away from it. Some never do. Some cut to deep and accidentally die.
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Posted Mar 24th, 2009 at 3:01PM
Sound too painful to me. :-(
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