The Truth About Cutting...

Most people catergorize cutting with attention getting. This has been an ongoing misconception. Granted, there are some people who do *attention get* by inflicting scratches in order to find some sort of attention, however please do not confuse the difference between those who *attention get* with those who have a serious need to feel they have no other option.

The first thing you need to know is ... This is not a suicide attempt! All too often people who cut use it as an outlet to relieve deep seeded emotional pain. The thought that "the pain on the outside relieves the pain on the inside" is generally a shared idea. And it's true, the physical pain runs all over the emotional pain to the point of not thinking about it. However, what we dont think about is the fact that the reason for the emotional pain and the emotional pain itself is still there when the physical pain subsides.

The after effects of cutting leave the body scarred and at times infected. Usually this isnt in a life threatening area or depth, however people have been known to go "too far."

I have tried to figure out if this is a inherited or learned behavior and have found that it's a general concensus that it is inherited. I myself used to cut from the age of 13-21 and have a very few times since. My daughter, has this same issue. She is however monitored very careful and with a lot of talking and communication shes not cut in a few months.

I know I continue to tell you all to talk to your children, but it's the truth! Having an idea what they're going through makes life a lot easier.

Here is a link you may find helpful if this is something you are dealing with.

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/mental_health/cutting.html

I check this often and if you need more information or just someone to discuss this with.. here I am!

Tristan