Why does my girlfriend cut herself?

Self-harm is a very personal behavior that individuals adopt for a variety of reasons. Your girlfriend may not even understand the "why" behind her own behavior. Many times, individuals are coping with something bigger than they understand when they engage in this act. But once started, it can be a difficult habit to break. If she is ready to stop, the steps are similar to breaking an addiction. She may need to reach out to a mental health professional in order to address some of the underlying issues that probably caused her to engage in the behavior in the first place.

She may feel that her emotions are too overwhelming at times. Cutting can calm some people down, when their emotions bubble up too much. It can provide a sense of “control” over their life, for those that feel that they don’t currently have control. Cutting can also distract from emotional pain. People can focus on the physical pain of the laceration, and not feel so drowned in their emotions. All that is written above is my own personal experience of cutting, and why I felt the need to do it. Cutting can also serve as a way to feel “real”. If someone feels emotionally numb, cutting can kind of bring them back to their life. It can make them more “present” if that makes sense. Cutting can be an expression of suicidal feelings, as well, but more commonly people cut without suicidal intent. Cutting is often seen as something that is done for attention. This is false. Although there are certainly people that do use this action for attention, the vast majority don’t. All of the reasons I listed above for cutting are equally valid, and there shouldn’t be any shame held in the reasoning behind anyone’s self-harm!

Many people who self harm say it is like a way of coping. However it is different for everyone. I suggest getting her help and maybe talking to her about it in a nice and calm way.

There are many reasons that she might do this to herself. It may be stress of work or school or it may be mental health. If you ask and she doesn't want to say don't pry, just comfort her and let her know you're there for her all the way. Many things in her life could be bad that you don't know and she isn't yet ready to share that causes her to do it. You can't make her stop but you can help her through it. People do it to feel control and others do it to punish themselves or because they like the feeling or the sight of it. You might not understand what's going on in her mind but you can still help from afar.

Maybe she cuts herself because she feels like it will help her cope with whatever she is going through. She could be going through something that she doesn't think can change. It might also relieve bad feelings she is having. There is a possibilty that she might be doing it for attention. She may be also doing it as a sign of her needing help. Some people feel as if they do not get enough attention from people, so they want to do something that will draw attention to themselves. She may be depressed and feels like she has no other way to deal with it.

Unfortunately unless you are a psychologist you won't truely know what makes her harm herself but there are several factors to why people harm themselves. Some people have experienced extensive emotional, physical or sexual abuse and have a hard time coping with the feelings and thoughts that accompany the trauma. Others may also suffer from an eating disorder and use self harm to cope with the stresses of perfection. Some may feel isolated and unloved or even feel like they deserve the pain for something they have done. No matter the reason a person self harms they are worthy of love and respect. They deserve a compassionate listner and someone who can truely hear them out.

Your girlfriend self-harming immediately identifies that your girlfriend is going through a rough time and is unable to express her emotions or is trying to let go of them. She may feel numb or like she has no control. Many people who self-harm have a mental illness like depression or anxiety, though some people self-harm when something significant happens in their life like the death of a loved on, loss of work, physical illness or work or school related stress. One way you could find out is by having a chat with her. Many individuals who self-harm want someone to know how they feel but can't seem to get the words out which in turn they self-harm to feel better and to release all this stress and locked up emotions inside.

She might be cutting herself because she enjoys the pain that comes from it. She also may want to commit suicide but can't go through with it so she uses cutting as a coping mechanism. There are various reasons someone may want to cut themselves so it can be hard to identify a single one. It is, however, a serious issue that should be addressed professionally and consulted with a therapist. Cutting may lead to more drastic actions such as self-mutilation, low self-esteem, or even suicide. People who cut also usually feel alone and feel like they are the only person who can understand what they are going through.

I have a girlfriend who cuts herself, so I know where you're coming from. It can be for a multitude of reasons. One could be because of what's going on at home. Another could be because of stress or depression. You just have to stay there for her and make her feel loved, cherish her and let her know you're there to listen. You just have to be patient and ask her exactly why she's doing that. I may take some time for her to open up, but you'll get through to her and she'll let you know, but just make sure she's ready first.

People who injure themselves have different reasons for doing so. For some it gives them an emotional release when they feel overwhelmed by intense and difficult emotions. For some it gives them a feeling of having control over something when there are many other things that they can't control. For some it helps them to dissociate and for others it helps them to come back to reality after dissociation. I wonder if you've asked your girlfriend why she cuts herself. You will get your best answer if you can have an open and honest conversation with her about it. Just ask her if she would be willing to talk about it with you and then gently ask what you'd like to know. She can always tell you when she doesn't want to continue talking or maybe not talk about a specific part or continue talking later.