# What's this about cutting yourself? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 1, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954 "2006-08-01T23:56:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2006, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/1 "2006-08-01T23:56:32Z")
A few weeks ago I read about a survey of Ivy League students; I think Penn and one other college were sampled and about 20% of the students - maybe a bit less - reported that they had cut themselves. WTF??? Is this for real? Is it true? If it is true, can someone explain this? Is cutting yourself a fashion statement now, kind of like tattoos or wierd haircuts? When I was a teen and young adult this was absolutely unheard of. Maybe there things going on in the more depressed circles that I wasn’t privy to. I don’t know. I’d be interested in hearing any dopers’ experiences, thoughts, etc, on this phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/2 "2006-08-02T00:03:00Z")
[This thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=379360) from a couple weeks ago may shed some light on the subject, perhaps. Is that the same kind of cutting you read about? ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/3 "2006-08-02T00:04:04Z")
Check out this thread [Ask the self injuror](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=379360&highlight=cutting) There are many things that were unheard of many years ago, anorexia, cutting, homosexuality, … I doubt they are new or modern things (Homosexuality obvioulsy isn’t) but just that so much more information is available to people that those unaffected by such things get to hear about them nowadays. ---
**Author:** ![Plan\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/4 "2006-08-02T00:55:49Z")
Thanks for the link. It answers some of the questions. But I’m still wondering about the frequency of the behavior. Does that sound possible to anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/5 "2006-08-02T00:59:32Z")
It sounds right to me. College is stressful. Cutting is a coping mechanism. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/6 "2006-08-02T01:00:18Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > Check out this thread [Ask the self injuror](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=379360&highlight=cutting) > There are many things that were unheard of many years ago, anorexia, cutting, homosexuality, … I doubt they are new or modern things (Homosexuality obvioulsy isn’t) but just that so much more information is available to people that those unaffected by such things get to hear about them nowadays. I just picked up a book about this called “Bright Red Scream.” I’ve only just cracked it, but even the forward and early chapter does a good job of explaining why people self-injure. The author also makes a distinction between self-harm and aesthetic and ritual self-harm/modification. I actually paid someone to cut a design into me. He did a good, professional job and did at least one other person I know. I don’t have self-harm issues as described in the survey you’re referring to. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Mrs\_Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Johnson)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/7 "2006-08-02T03:39:58Z")
I don’t know about percentages, but I think it is much more common than most people are aware of. When you pile on the many stresses of college and the time when most young adults are moving out and getting experience of real life for the first time, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and out of control and many areas. After I finally realized (sometime 2002) that I wasn’t the only “weirdo” who self injures, I discovered that quite a few people I was acquainted with or random classmates also SI. Rich, poor, popular, loner, straight A students, barely passing and everything in between. It’s a struggle and cutting (or other methods of self injury) is usually not the problem. Cutting is the _fix_. It can be addictive, or at least habit forming. [Who self injures?](http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/who.html) ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/8 "2006-08-02T04:33:15Z")
> [@Plan B](#): > > Thanks for the link. It answers some of the questions. > > But I’m still wondering about the frequency of the behavior. Does that sound possible to anyone? Absolutely- I know at least a dozen people who’ve done cut at least once. Granted, I just finished high school, and cutting is by far most prevalent in teens, but it’s not uncommon for any age group. ---
**Author:** ![Antonius\_Block](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/51bf81/32.png) [@Antonius\_Block](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antonius_Block)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/9 "2006-08-02T06:39:15Z")
> [@11811](#): > > I just picked up a book about this called “Bright Red Scream”. I can strongly recommend this book ([Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) link [here](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140280537)). My ex was a “cutter”, although I didn’t know this when she first moved in with me (she hadn’t cut for a few years). I had never had any close knowledge of the phenomenon, so was completely unprepared when it started up again – the proximate trigger being a death in her family. _[The OP might be interested to know that during this time, my SO was finishing up her PhD thesis at an Ivy League school.]_ I went on-line to find resources to cope with the issue, and found that “A Bright Red Scream” had recently been published, and that the author, Marilee Strong, was going to be at a local bookstore talking about it. We bought the book, both raced through it, and attended the author reading / book-signing event ready to ask questions. A combination of reading the book and chatting with the author **really** helped to put things in perspective both for my SO (as a cutter) and for me (as a highly-concerned outsider). I haven’t looked at the book in years, but can highly recommend it. ---
**Author:** ![SailBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/77aa72/32.png) [@SailBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailBunny)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/10 "2006-08-02T14:27:35Z")
I go to Penn and have never seen or heard of anyone cutting. But its a big school. ---
**Author:** ![davenportavenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/5f8ce5/32.png) [@davenportavenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davenportavenger)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/11 "2006-08-02T14:42:40Z")
> [@Mirror Image egamI rorriM](#): > > It sounds right to me. College is stressful. Cutting is a coping mechanism. Do you (general you) think that the increase in cutting has anything to do with the disapproval of smoking? I know that when my stress is at a super high point smoking definitely defuses it and makes me more able to cope with things. Does cutting have the same effect? Any people who both smoke and cut? ---
**Author:** ![Staggerlee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/staggerlee/32/3134_2.png) [@Staggerlee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Staggerlee)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/12 "2006-08-02T15:00:48Z")
> [@davenportavenger](#): > > Do you (general you) think that the increase in cutting has anything to do with the disapproval of smoking? I know that when my stress is at a super high point smoking definitely defuses it and makes me more able to cope with things. Does cutting have the same effect? Any people who both smoke and cut? When I was a teen (11 years ago) my first girlfriend did the the self-harm thing, finding it a visceral release from her depression (she was also on Beta-blockers) but she hated the mess she made of her arms afterwards. She also smoked. A couple of years later I met another girl who was very ostentatious about her anguish - would slice her arms and give herself cigarette burns, then turn up being very sociable at parties in a short-sleeved top. I found this pretty sad, trying to drum up interest with cheapo angst-ridden scarification. The second girl smoked too. Or at least _lit_ cigarettes… ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/13 "2006-08-02T17:06:15Z")
> [@11811](#): > > I actually paid someone to cut a design into me. He did a good, professional job and did at least one other person I know. I don’t have self-harm issues as described in the survey you’re referring to. I worry about these artistic scars. I have plenty of accidental and operation scars and find that they are often annoyingly itchy. Is this a problem with body-modification scars? ---
**Author:** ![appleciders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85f322/32.png) [@appleciders](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/appleciders)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/14 "2006-08-02T17:15:53Z")
> [@davenportavenger](#): > > Do you (general you) think that the increase in cutting has anything to do with the disapproval of smoking? I know that when my stress is at a super high point smoking definitely defuses it and makes me more able to cope with things. Does cutting have the same effect? Any people who both smoke and cut? I’ve never smoked nor cut, but that seems quite consistant with what I’ve been told by people who do. Although I’m lacking a cite, I seem to recall that cutting releases painkillers in the body that can help the person relax. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/15 "2006-08-02T18:16:07Z")
I know at least one person who cuts and smokes like a chimney. Anyway, at the college I go to, a huge number of students smoke. It’s disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/16 "2006-08-02T18:42:17Z")
> [@appleciders](#): > > I’ve never smoked nor cut, but that seems quite consistant with what I’ve been told by people who do. Although I’m lacking a cite, I seem to recall that cutting releases painkillers in the body that can help the person relax. Endorphins are released when you get localised pain or aches, they are what makes you get a rush when exercising or enjoying being spanked. It seems to me that endorphins are easier to get through exercise or masochistic acts than through cutting. ---
**Author:** ![Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e56c9b/32.png) [@Mirror\_Image\_egamI\_rorriM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mirror_Image_egamI_rorriM)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/17 "2006-08-02T21:06:58Z")
When someone is alone and depressed, it’s a lot easier to cut than it is to find someone to hook up with or to haul youself off to the gym. Also, cutting probably works faster than either one of those solutions. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/18 "2006-08-02T21:18:56Z")
Was this survey of both genders? I ask because 20% sounds about right for my current circle of female friends. Not that they self-injure now, but that they have at some point in their lives. All of my female friends who are/have been cutters also smoke. Every single fuckin’ one. Males? I don’t know a single one who has habitually self-injured, but I suppose it’s possible that they wouldn’t feel comfortable telling me. I have a few wall puncher and chair kickers among my guy friends, but I believe that behavior comes from a different psychological place. MHO. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/19 "2006-08-02T21:48:26Z")
> [@Bippy the Beardless](#): > > I worry about these artistic scars. I have plenty of accidental and operation scars and find that they are often annoyingly itchy. Is this a problem with body-modification scars? It itches from time to time. ---
**Author:** ![Mrs\_Johnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@Mrs\_Johnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mrs_Johnson)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954/20 "2006-08-02T22:33:13Z")
> [@Mirror Image egamI rorriM](#): > > When someone is alone and depressed, it’s a lot easier to cut than it is to find someone to hook up with or to haul youself off to the gym. Also, cutting probably works faster than either one of those solutions. That’s true. Most people don’t have the motivation to get out and do something else. It’s easier to sink than swim. The last time I saw an acquaintance who formerly SI, the first thing I noticed was that he’d picked up smoking. I wondered if there was any connection but didn’t bother asking. I’ve never smoked. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-about-cutting-yourself/366954.md?page=2)