Okay, this thread weirded me out a little. I have been hearing about this kind of thing a lot lately. I didn’t read the whole thread, but I was amazed that every post I did read was from a WOMAN who had mutilated herself. The only person I have met in person who did this was also a woman. Is this kind of thing mostly confined to women? Why? What does it mean when somebody does this to themself?
It means different things to everyone who does it.
I’ve had friends who did it because they didn’t think they deserved to not feel pain.
I’ve had friends who did it to dull other types of pain.
I’ve had friends who did it because they wanted to see themselves suffer.
I’ve had friends who did it as a cry for help.
It is not cofined to women.
We REALLY, REALLY need a crying emoticon.
Is “cutting” strictly a female thing?
To be blunt, no. It is not.
That, my friend, was a really bad pun:)
I’ve known both men and women to do it…it’s a scary thing…if you know someone who does it, or if you do it yourself, get help. It’s the best solution.
Uh, I meant to do that! Yeah! that’s it! 
All the cutters I’ve known have been women, but I’m sure some men must do it too. In Boys Don’t Cry one of Brandon Teena’s “friends” reveals that he is a cutter, although I don’t know if that is true of the real man the character is based on.
There’s at least one on the SDMB. Names aren’t important. He’s much better now.
No. I’ve known two guys who’ve done it, one of them is my cousin. For some reason it’s gotten more publicity with females but it’s definitely not confined to them.
IIRC, more women than men do. But no, it’s by no means gender specific.
Actually, I didn’t know any cutters until I met my best friend, Paul. He used to slice his arms up with his knives and swords…one time he even stabbed his side open.
I am part of a few SI message boards and believe me, there are quite a few guys out there that do this.
I think that there are less males than females who do this because guys have other ways of channeling their pain and anger, usually through violence or playing sports, something active.
I see it every day at work in jail,
definately not a female thing.
The implication here could be that since it might be a female thing that it is just ‘one of those strange women phenomenon’ it is so common in certain situations as to be a part of life.
It may be beyond your logic and that of those who do not encounter it but we are very complex creatures.
We do have very good strategies for helping those with this illness, people who do this are not weird or alone there are reasons why it occurs and anyone out there who does this should know that we can relate to your problems, trust us.
I guess what I said didn’t sound very clear. I said that some guys channel their stress through violence. “Why don’t they cut themselves more often then?” you’re probably asking. I meant that they usually channel these strong feelings by projecting them elsewhere. Examples are playing violent video games, some really energetic contact sport, beating up people, you name it. Now me, I hate taking things out on people, physically or violently, so I prefer doing things to myself.
One time I was idly scratching Paul’s arms in a cat-like way and I got quite violent and ended up cutting his arm open. I drew blood. I felt really bad about it but Paul said, “At least it’s me and not you.” I never hurt Paul again. I don’t like violence upon other people much.
Self mutilation is common in Borderline Personality Disorder. 75% of all diagnosed borderlines are women. Of course, cutting is not exclusive to BPD, but perhaps that’s where the idea came from.
I’ve never known anyone who did this. In fact, I’d never even heard of this.
I’m speechless.
To those out there on the self infliction kick, Why not channel you anger in a positive way. Like some form of exercise: …you’ll be healthier, look better, feel better, and be more regulated. Cutting yourself is not a good way to deal with your problems. It’s a rather shitty way in fact. (Then again, I do understand it: years back, I used to cut myself.)
I think women would tend to be more open about it a in a public forum like this, as opposed to men. (Just my opinion.)
I’ve never heard of it. Please define.
From the DSM IV (The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders):
Actually, one of my friends that called to the guidance counselor along with me and a few others was male. see Welfy’s “my parents found out” post, and look at ssskugggi’s, hypergirl’s, and purephreak’s posts. All are in a row. We all had a bad day.
Anorexics also do it often so that may also be why women get more attention about doing it.
No, it’s definitely not. As Lauren said, half the people involved in the little guidance counselor episode were male. I also have a completely non-related male friend who has a collection of knives and cuts himself with them.