Teens and Cutting
Camie is a beautiful young woman who just recently got married and is now expecting her first baby girl in the fall. She is married to the man of her dreams and excited about starting her family. Life is very good for Camie. One would never believe that Camie used to suffer from extreme depression and would even go as far as cutting her arms as a way to release her sadness and pain.
Sadly, the scars on her arms and legs tell the story of the past which was a very dark and lonely time for Camie. Cutting once had a hold on Camie. However, with therapy, counseling, many self-help books, and the love of family and friends, Camie is now a happy, productive member of society.
What is cutting?
Cutting is a type of self-injury in which the cutter (usually girls, but sometimes boys) literally cut their arms, wrists, hands, legs, and stomachs with sharp objects such as glass, knives, metal, razors, and/or any other sharp object. When these cuts heal, they tend to leave a scar, which the cutter usually goes to great lengths to hide and cover up because they are usually so ashamed of their behavior. Some cutters, on the other hand, are in desperate need of attention, and openly show off the scars and wounds to get that much needed attention. Cutting usually affects teenage girls, although boys are known to cut themselves as well.
Why do people cut themselves?
It is very hard for most people to comprehend why someone would purposefully cut or hurt themselves. Cutting is a way for individuals to deal with intense feelings of sadness, loneliness, anger, fear, or sorrow. These individuals usually do not know how to handle these feelings, and in desperation, turn to this type of behavior as a way to release these overwhelming feelings.
Often time's people who cut themselves usually struggle with other mental disorders such as depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder, or compulsive behavior disorder. The loss of a loved one may also cause an individual to cut themselves. It is almost like the individual feels like they have more control of the situation if they inflict pain on themselves.
How to help
It is vital that family members help the individual in their life with the cutting disorder. So much can be done to stop this self-inflicting behavior. Therapy is first and foremost a vital key in helping to stop this self-destructive behavior. Also, finding other ways to release feelings of sadness and pain is vital. Exercise, talking to a friend or family member, or writing feelings down in a journal are all healthy ways to release these feelings without hurting oneself.
There is hope
Just as seen in Camie's case, there is help and hope. Counseling, self-help, and the love of family and friends are a huge part in an individual recovering from this dangerous behavior.
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