teens. Some continue to cut into adulthood.
People may cut themselves on their wrists, arms,
legs or bellies. Some people self-injure by
burning their skin with the end of a cigarette or
lighted match.
When cuts or burns heal, they often leave scars
or marks. People who injure themselves usually
hide the cuts and marks and sometimes no one
else knows.
Who Do People Cut Themselves?
CUTTING
Injuring yourself on purpose by
making scratches or cuts on your body
with a sharp object - enough to break
the skin and make it bleed - is called
cutting
What Is Cutting?
Emma’s mom first noticed the cuts when Emma
was doing the dishes one night. Emma told her
mom that their cat had scratched her. Her mom
seemed surprised that the cat had been so rough,
but she didn’t think much more about it.
Emma’s friends had noticed something strange as
well. Even when the weather was hot, Emma
wore long-sleeved shirts. She had become
secretive, too, like something was bothering her.
Emma couldn’t seem to find the words to tell her
mom or her friends that the marks on her arms
were from something that she had done. She was
cutting herself with a razor when she felt sad or
upset.
Injuring yourself on purpose by making scratches
or cuts on your body with a sharp object - enough
to break the skin and make it bleed - is called
cutting. Cutting is a type of self-injury or SI.
People who cut often start cutting in their young
It can be hard to understand why people cut
themselves on purpose. Cutting is a way some
people try to cope with the pain of strong
emotions, intense pressure or upsetting
relationship problems. They may be dealing with
feelings that seem too difficult to bear or bad
situations they think can’t change.
Some people cut because they feel desperate for
relief from bad feelings. People who cut may not
know better ways to get relief from emotional
pain or pressure. Some people cut to express
strong feelings of rage, sorrow, rejection,
desperation, longing or emptiness.
There are other ways to cope with difficulties,
even big problems and terrible emotional pain.
The help of a mental health professional might
be needed for major life troubles or
overwhelming emotions. For other tough
situations or strong emotions, it can help put
Cutting is a type of selfinjury or SI
things in perspective to talk problems over with
parents, other adults or friends. Getting plenty of
exercise also can help put problems in
perspective and help balance emotions.
People who cut may not have developed ways to
cope. Their coping skills may be overpowered
by emotions that are too intense.