The Cause and Effect of Cutting (Research Paper)

Right now there is a teenaged girl sitting in her bathroom with a knife in hand and blood rolling down her arm from the newest slits in her wrist. Any psychiatrist may have dealt with this type of problem before. So what starts the urge to self-injure? What provokes it? Moreover, what are the dangers of self-injury? Parents do not always realize that their child is performing the act of self-injury, and when they discover the scars, they freak out, not knowing what to do. They do not understand self-injury, and this causes their fears to grow. While self-injury is not something that we should freak out about, one should still take action to help the self-injurer. The first step, however, is to understand what self-injury is, and why people, especially teens, self-injure. Many teens revert to self-injury.1

Self-injury has many different names, including self-inflicted violence, self-injury, self-harm, delicate cutting, self-abuse, and self-mutilation, and was first described in medical literature as early as 1983 (Esherick #). Self-injury is a number of things, from cutting, to burning, and even excessive tattooing and piercing can be a form of self-injury. Often those who self-injure are trying to relieve emotions such as anger, sadness, sorrow, depression, and many other emotions, which build up and cause most people to revert to self-injury. As well, self-injurers will often harm themselves to feel alive.2

Some self-injurers see the wounds as punishment for something they believe they have done. An example would be if a parent got into a fight with another spouse, because of something the child said. The child will take the blame, and therefore may self-injure. Self-injurers often begin around the ages of twelve and thirteen, and can go on without help after they turn twenty-one. 3

There are many myths about self-injury, and, because they are myths, they are generally not true. Self-injury has always been associated with suicide; however, studies have shown that those who self-injure often are not suicidal, but instead are calling out for help when no one will listen, often referred to as parasuicide. Often, people think that only teenaged females harm themselves, and while this is not entirely true, it has been proven to be found in females more so than males. Often others look at cutting as a failed suicide attempt. Others look at it as if the self-injurers are harming themselves just for attention, or they are trying to manipulate those around them. One of the more dangerous myths is “if the wounds aren’t bad enough, it’s not serious.” This is not true, because even if the wounds are not deep, infection can occur (Myths).4

So, why do teens often begin harming themselves? There are many different answers to this question. In most cases, the cause is depression. There are two ways to distinguish depression: major depression, and dysthymia. Major depression is often severe, but does not last long. Dysthymia, which is just the opposite, is less severe, but lasts longer (New, Depression). 5

In today’s society, kids are not taught soon enough safe stress-handling ways, such as screaming into a pillow, writing, taking a walk, and so on. Instead, they find alternate ways to ease their feelings. This may be because parents do not think their child will begin to self-injure.6

There are many causes of depression. Depression can run in the family, genes being the most common factor. However, this does not mean everyone in the family will receive this same gene. Death, divorce, moving, changing schools, and relationships often stress an individual, resulting in depression. A negative, stressful, or an unhappy family atmosphere can contribute to depression as well (Lyness, Cutting).7

In a person’s brain, there are chemicals called neurotransmitters. Some of these neurotransmitters regulate a person’s mood. When these “mood” neurotransmitters run low, a person will often feel stressed, anxious, or depressed (New, Depression). “People who have a genetic predisposition to depression may be more prone to the imbalance of neurotransmitter activity that is part of depression” (New, Depression). 8

Doctors often treat this imbalance of neurotransmitters by giving the patients antidepressants. Antidepressants are a medicine that can help treat depression, by balancing the neurotransmitters (Antidepressants).9

When a person feels a strong sense of emotions, such as anger, sadness, or anxiety, they may be harmed by accident (Cutter, Self-Injury: Types, Causes, and Treatment). The second time they feel an overwhelming amount of emotion, they may remember the feeling of relief they received after being injured the first time, and may attempt to recreate this feeling of relief.10

People who self-injure are often viewed as a threat to themselves. Society gets the idea that they are suicidal, and that the cuts on a person’s wrist are from a failed suicide attempt. This is rarely true. The reason most people think this way is an accidental suicide, where the self-injurer cuts too deep by accident.11

When a person discovers that their friend is self-injuring, it turns their world upside down. They feel helpless, and do not understand how to help their self-injuring friend right away. When they attempt to talk with their friend about the self-injuring habit, the self-injurer may not want to talk about it. This may be because they feel they can handle the habit themselves, or they may be ashamed of their actions.12

Even though people do not discuss self-injury often, it is not something new. It is estimated that two to three million Americans self-injure (Self-Injury). In a year, twelve people between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four will successfully commit suicide. Another one thousand four hundred teens will attempt suicide. In addition, not only normal, everyday people self-injure. Princess Diana admitted to cutting her arms and legs, as well as deliberately throwing herself down stairs on more than one occasion.13

Though people are still uneasy when talking about self-injury, it is something that needs to be understood. Self-injury Awareness Day (SIAD) is set for the first of March, every year. On this day, some people choose to be more open about their own self-injury, and awareness organizations make special efforts to raise awareness about self-injury. Some people wear an orange awareness ribbon, or wristband to show their support for awareness of self-injury.14

Signs of a potential self-injurer can often be mistaken for normal activities. Long-sleeved shirts that are worn constantly, even during the summer, is the most common warning sign. People who do not socialize with others are often watched for other signs for potential self-injury as well (Self-injury/cutting: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com).15

I chose this topic because I used to self-injure, and I was often harassed by other students, teachers, my friends, and my family about my bad habit. They assumed I was suicidal, and had many different opinions about self-injury. I want to show more people, rather than them alone, what self-injury really is, what causes it, and how it can be helped. Instead of yelling at the self-injurer, one should try to talk to them in a calming manner. This will convince the self-injurer that you are not angry, but concerned, and want to help in anyway you can. I know this from personal experience. Yes, it is very difficult to overcome. However, that is why it is always best to know what you are up against, and learning about self-injury is the first step.