Discussion Why do people SH?

[fleshpuppet]

Per the title, I've never understood why people SH. I figure its separate from suicidality. For those who do it, is it rewarding somehow? What compels you to do it in the first place? Also I've noticed it seems to be women moreso than men that SH, though I haven't any idea as to why. If someone could please enlighten me.

 

[tasmaka]

My person experience is to feel pain not only internally, it feels like a release.

I've restrained myself from cutting due to scars but I claw at my arm when Im anxious still but its the same reason, different method persay but I dont always do it its like when I become unstable, I dont believe in depending on it for better feelings.

 

[sanctionedusage]

in similar conditions, women tend to self harm while men tend to harm others/externalize. compare the gendered stats of reckless driving leading to fatal accidents and mass shootings, to self harm and crappy, failed suicide attempts.

self harm is an addictive, dopamine-releasing compulsion or habit. everyone starts in different ways. could be out of intense distress in the moment and not knowing how to take it out on anything but yourself, exposure to it in the media if youre especially young, out of self hatred, out of suicidal intent or a pre existing interest in gore.

but the behavioral pattern that makes it a long term habit or addiction is more unanimous: it relieves stress temporarily and triggers a dopamine rush. SH communities can also garner a more competitive population similar to pro anorexia communities, adding another layer like a subculture.'

 

[blvck]

I tried it before but it didn't do anything for me. But I realized over the years that I actually SH in the form of behaviors, self destructive behaviors. I think it's because i think I deserve to be punished because I hate myself so much

 

[Leonard_Bangley39]

i hate life but im too scared of dying to ctb so i self harm instead to cope. it feels nice, it distracts me and clears my head. and i like looking at the cuts, scars, and blood too.

 

[locketofroses]

Honestly for me it has nothing to do with my mental health most of the time. I just think the scars from it are pretty.

But when it is about my mental health it's usually because I'm angry/frustrated, not because I'm sad. I've struggled a lot with violent thoughts about others for years, and redirecting them towards myself has been how I've stopped myself from getting into real trouble.

Thankfully, those thoughts have nearly completely stopped since I got out of school. I think it was just the result of a really unhealthy environment.

 

[somethingisntreal]

When I first started, it was less of the "ugh im so sad im in pain ughhh help" and more of the "what if i slash my finger with this blade?" I was a stupid kid, yes. I was 11, 12 tops. I loved seeing bright, red blood flowing out of the gashes (May or may not be the aftermath of gaining access to violent content as a child). The bumpy scars that followed it were so satisfying to touch. Literally asmr material. It became and addiction. Soon, I was self harming compulsively, without any real reason. During the sleepless and frustrating nights it helped me relax. The throbbing pain and warmth of the cuts/burns is a surprisingly good distraction from your spiralling thoughts. There was a point I was doing it several times a day. People are quick to judge and invalidate you for it, claiming you're doing it because its "trendy and cool" (including my dearest therapist) but you cannot understand the helplessness until you're neck deep into the addiction yourself. Thankfully, I never had to face any judgement from the general public because I always did it on the well-hidden parts of my body. That may change this summer, though. I ended up chopping all over my arms last year. But I'm glad to say I'm over all this. My skin remains uninjured since 2026 started. God, but it is ITCHY tho. I swear, if you see someone itching their arms/legs all the time, good chance that they do/used to sh.

 

[EternallyCold]

It's like asking why people smoke or do drugs. SH releases endorphins and it feels good. Though there are many different reasons why people do it. Personally, it's like an addiction. But some might do it as a punishment to themselves, or some like the scars and blood and pain. It could be a coping mechanism for many too

 

[meddle]

to punish myself for something i dont like about myself
or, like, to get used to pain and not to fear it that much. i know, its a very strange reason
or to have some visible proof that i suffer enough and that i truly am mentally ill. and like not for others, but mainly for myself, because i invalidate myself very much
or to release some happy chemicals from my brain
and i also like to see my blood. its red and pretty

 

[FoxSauce]

Sometimes emotions can feel too intense and I rather feel the pain than the emotion.


Other times I cant feel anything so I use the pain so I can feel anything.

Or in other cases punishment, if i said or did something wrong.

That is how it works for me ig

 

[Dinozauria]

As someone who self harms, I have no idea why I do it. I normally do it when I feel guilty so I don't know if it's a self punishing behaviour ?? I've also "played" around with other methods either for the feeling of control or feeling readier for CTBing (since my method is one you have to be quite brave for)