Cutting. Why so popular among teens?

[Grimm91]

I'm a High School senior and through out almost my whole educational career I have realized that my generation has the chronic problem of self mutilation. In my four years of high school alone I have know or at least heard about three to five people cutting or some other form of self mutilation per year. Thats only what I heard about or knew through word of mouth and actually knowing the people that did it. It confuses me to think that one might hurt themselves to feel "alive". I cannot understand this concept. I understand that this is a grim topic but its one that I want to know about the reasons why. My fellow escapists what are your views on this? I also apologize if I have offended anyone.

 

[Abedeus]

Because they are stupid, that's why everyone does everything.

 

[DeadAccountMoveAlong]

Most of my friends cut... I have thought a lot about it, but it is hard to peg down what the issue is. Part of it, in my opinion, is the placebo effect. It has become such a popular thing, with everyone talking about how it makes them feel, that people hear it and expect it to do the same thing with them.
I spent years of my life battling depression and suicidal impulses, but never did I give in to the cutting trend. At the time I saw it as just a way to gain attention, and maybe it is just a cry for help... to be honest I think even cutters don't get it. It is jut something they do because they expect it to work.

 

[S.H.A.R.P.]

Because they are stupid, that's why everyone does everything.

That, and they seek a way of getting attention because they're unhappy with their life. "Look at me, I am miserable, and to express my feelings, I cut myself. See? blood!"
Well perhaps a bit over-exaggerated, but I think that's basically it.

 

[Dealin Burgers]

Attention, sympthay.

 

[headshotcatcher]

Because they are stupid, that's why everyone does everything.

That, and they seek a way of getting attention because they're unhappy with their life. "Look at me, I am miserable, and to express my feelings, I cut myself. See? blood!"
Well perhaps a bit over-exaggerated, but I think that's basically it.

Not only that, cutting yourself releases endorfins which make you feel better. Hence the fact that emos and depressed people (stereotypically) do it.

And also the fact that the scars get you attention

 

[rainman2203]

Social Darwinism?

Nah, kids are dumb. Little, temporary problems seem to make the world come crashing down. I'd suggest kids slap themselves upside the back of their heads, as that is the only self-inflicted pain they need as punishment for their stupidity.

 

[LeonLethality]

Because they are stupid, that's why everyone does everything.

i agree for the most part though i went through an angsy emo like phase (people called me emo) i never went through self mutilation, i went through an emo like phase since so much hits so fast, so i can understand why depresion, but wouldnt hurting yourself make it worse, you must be stupid to hurt yourself >.> but yeah its in our nature to do stupid things why do you think we bungee jump? also attention is a factor for people who want to be alone all the time they sure want to make it clear they are "in pain"

 

[LordCraigus]

Middle-class white teens don't know how to deal with the various changes and problems that inevitably come with growing up, that's why you get self-mutilation, school shootings and My Chemical Romance.

 

[Trivun]

I don't think anybody I know has ever self harmed, so I can't really make a comment here. But from what you've said, it seems it's just a localised problem for you. Statistics are unpredictable sometimes, and it seems you're just unlucky to know or have heard of so many people cutting themselves. It's a widespread problem, true, but by no means is it as common as you seem to think it is.

 

[crepesack]

Social Darwinism?

Nah, kids are dumb. Little, temporary problems seem to make the world come crashing down. I'd suggest kids slap themselves upside the back of their heads, as that is the only self-inflicted pain they need as punishment for their stupidity.

you had it right until the third word of your post.
lol nah its just kids being controlled by hormones who obviously dont realize http://www.moonbattery.com/starving_african_child.jpg is a lot worse off then poor 'ol johnny who couldn't get a date to the prom.

 

[Baby Tea]

Attention, sympthay.

Yeah pretty much. I'd couple that with insecurity and you've pretty much got a bunch of kids who want to be accepted and loved doing things to get the attention they think they need in order to achieve said acceptance and love.

Never understood the basis for it, myself.

 

[Ionami]

Because they are stupid, that's why everyone does everything.

That, and they seek a way of getting attention because they're unhappy with their life. "Look at me, I am miserable, and to express my feelings, I cut myself. See? blood!"
Well perhaps a bit over-exaggerated, but I think that's basically it.

Not only that, cutting yourself releases endorfins which make you feel better. Hence the fact that emos and depressed people (stereotypically) do it.

And also the fact that the scars get you attention

It does not make you feel better. Not in the sense that you're saying anyways. People who cut are obviously severely depressed, and have no way to vent or release the build-up of emotions they have. The cutting is a way for them to temporarily forget about those emotions, and in a way, come back to reality. The cutting hurts. It most certainly does NOT feel good. But that's the whole point.

The rush of adrenaline that comes from cutting yourself temporarily relieves the depression, anxiety and/or other overwhelming feelings the person has.

Other options? Therapy. Talking to your doctor about possible anti-depressants. Talk to your parents, or if they're the reason you're cutting in the first place, talk to someone of authority at school.

 

[fletch_talon]

Depends, the way I see it there are 2 types.

Attention seekers and people who are truly depressed. The attention seekers are the ones who make little-to-no effort to hide the scars, if they do try and hide them, they'll "accidentally" let them slip out when people are around.

 

[traceur_]

Dude it is not "popular", anyway it's just the retards who want attention or are genuinely suicidal who cut themselves. I really don't understand why they would cut themselves to temporarily relieve their depression, there are things called "drugs" for that, and how about doing something that doesn't cause vast amounts of pain, learn to handstand or build a model ship or something, but fine cut yourself, die, whatever suits you.

 

[headshotcatcher]

Because they are stupid, that's why everyone does everything.

That, and they seek a way of getting attention because they're unhappy with their life. "Look at me, I am miserable, and to express my feelings, I cut myself. See? blood!"
Well perhaps a bit over-exaggerated, but I think that's basically it.

Not only that, cutting yourself releases endorfins which make you feel better. Hence the fact that emos and depressed people (stereotypically) do it.

And also the fact that the scars get you attention

It does not make you feel better. Not in the sense that you're saying anyways. People who cut are obviously severely depressed, and have no way to vent or release the build-up of emotions they have. The cutting is a way for them to temporarily forget about those emotions, and in a way, come back to reality. The cutting hurts. It most certainly does NOT feel good. But that's the whole point.

The rush of adrenaline that comes from cutting yourself temporarily relieves the depression, anxiety and/or other overwhelming feelings the person has.

Other options? Therapy. Talking to your doctor about possible anti-depressants. Talk to your parents, or if they're the reason you're cutting in the first place, talk to someone of authority at school.

Spoiler: Oh my god I was right all along! -.-

They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during strenuous exercise,excitement, pain, and orgasm, and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a sense of well-being. Endorphins work as "natural pain relievers", whose effects may be enhanced by other medications.

Tut tut.