It is interesting to see how this Bible belt mentality is manifested even here, ie "she deals with her problems in a (common) way that is different than how I deal with mine, so there must be something wrong with her."
I had to laugh at this statement; punishing one's self (and others) physically for real or perceived sins is a VERY Christian/Biblical response. Look up the history of hair shirts and self-flaggellation, for starters. What's the difference between that and cutting?! It's about self-hatred, guilt, and punishment.
I guess I am fairly well-educated concerning mental illness, and it is frustrating to see people ostricised or misunderstood or ridiculed over something they may not have the tools to control.
erynn
You know something... There are lots of impulses that people have that they can't control. John Wayne Gacy couldn't control his impulse to screw and kill little kids. Tim Mcveigh couldn't control his impulse to blow up a federal building to make a political statement. Everything is a result of people having an impulse and doing something about it. We don't know the mental history of "Franky". She might be mentally ill and then again she might just be someone doing stupid things to get attention. Whatever her motivation, the ACT of cutting oneself is stupid. Just like the act of raping and killing kids is evil. And the act of blowing up a federal building to make a point is both stupid AND evil.
Last edited by toyguytn on Mon Apr 19, 2004 7:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"There's not a word yet for old friends who've just met." -Gonzo the Great
I guess I am fairly well-educated concerning mental illness, and it is frustrating to see people ostricised or misunderstood or ridiculed over something they may not have the tools to control.
erynn
You know something... There are lots of impulses that people have that they can't control. John Wayne Gacy couldn't control his impulse to screw and kill little kids. Tim Mcveigh couldn't control his impulse to blow up a federal building to make a political statement. Everything is a result of people having an impulse and doing something about it. We don't know the mental history of "Franky". She might be mentally ill and then again she might just be someone doing stupid things to get attention. Whatever her motivation, the ACT of cutting oneself is stupid. Just like the act of raping and killing kids is evil. And the act of blowing up a federal building to make a point is both stupid AND evil.
Ok, maybe the whole ACT of cutting is stupid, but the reasons behind it are not. It's a coping mechanism just like counting to 3 is when you're pissed...or punching your rock...or even crying to let off some emotion. It's a screwed up way of dealing with things, but it is a way to deal...and I wouldn't knock anyones way of dealing with shit.
I would like to know who, out of all of you that have posted on this subject, are actual cutters...or have been. Since you all think you know so much about it. Seriously. Not that it's any of my business, but it just makes me wonder...
I'll say again, as I have before. I've never cut, but I have lost 3 friends, and all of them had been cuting for years. I don;t care what the hell it is, a simple mistake can kill you. It happens often.
I'll say again, as I have before. I've never cut, but I have lost 3 friends, and all of them had been cutting for years. I don;t care what the hell it is, a simple mistake can kill you. It happens often.
vicious_blood wrote:I would like to know who, out of all of you that have posted on this subject, are actual cutters...or have been. Since you all think you know so much about it. Seriously. Not that it's any of my business, but it just makes me wonder...
Kit, even should anyone who has posted to this thread be a cutter, it isn't something that's likely to get advertised. some will cut for attention, but those are the people who would show off scars and play the suicide card. the people that cut as a coping mechanism usually hide the scars and don't talk about it.
Don't listen to that guy! He's gonna lead you down the path of righteousness. I'm gonna lead you down the path that rocks!
vicious_blood wrote:I would like to know who, out of all of you that have posted on this subject, are actual cutters...or have been. Since you all think you know so much about it. Seriously. Not that it's any of my business, but it just makes me wonder...
Kit, even should anyone who has posted to this thread be a cutter, it isn't something that's likely to get advertised. some will cut for attention, but those are the people who would show off scars and play the suicide card. the people that cut as a coping mechanism usually hide the scars and don't talk about it.
No, I didn't mean it like that...I was trying to make a point. I just worded it poorly.
Well, I used to cut a bit to cope, no one knows this and as i grew up I learned other (unhealthy) ways to cope with pain. I've tried just about every drug that's out there, I've been an alcoholic/addict for abot 10 years, I've tried church, I've tried exercise, I've tried screwing every guy I could get my hands on.
i'm so glad that I don't feel the need to do this any more, but I know that it is a stage a lot of people go through as they learn to function in the harsh adult world.
And by referring to the Bible belt mentality, I did not mean in regards to physical punishment, I was referring to the tendancy to look upon others in a negative light just bc they are different than you. Hope that makes it clearer. That was a good point about physical pain as pennance, though.
A coping mechanism I use a lot is repression. Of course, when I'm doing it I am not aware, but every once in a while something will trigger memories of periods of my life that I forgot even happened bc they were shoved so deep down inside of me. Is this healthy? Who knows. I think for a certain period of time it is, until I have the tools to deal with the pain. For example, I was talking to someone the other day who had to sit there and explain to me about loosing my best friend the year after high school. I did not believe her, I had to verify her story with other people before my mind would allow me to accept the truth. I honest to god thought that we had lost contact over a fight I had created in my mind, bc the way I really lost her was too painful for me to remember. I think if I hadn't repressed it, I would have killed myself then. Now I am much stronger and have been able to face it.
While I guess I am defending cutters, that DOES NOT mean that if any one discovers that a friend is doing this they should ignore it. I would urge any one who cuts or knows a cutter to talk to a therapist, guidance counsellor, hotline, or even clergy member.
Practice makes perfect.