Help me understand this please

In case you havent noticed I've kinda suddenly been interested in this
Well a certain family member (not saying which one) of mine used to cut
And I was wondering what I could say or do to help her out in case she relapses again

Also if you are one...

of those people then I wouldnt mind getting some of your views on this (like why you do it,how it feels,etc.)

Again I remind you:
Id appreciate it if emo jokes werent thrown around lol
I dont really like labels...

Cutting is a way that some people cope when they don't know how to deal with their emotions in a healthy way. I equate it with people who drink or use drugs to distract themselves from issues in their lives. The reason people do it is because if they can focus on the physical pain, they can ignore their emotional pain for that moment. Also, some people have described a rush of endorphins when they cut. After extended periods of time, the cutting loses that sensation (maybe excitement?) of pain, and is psycologically addictive (like when getting high isn't fun anymore for drug abusers) and they need it just to feel normal. You can help your cutter loved ones by encouraging her to express her feelings on issues that are bothering her and coming up with positive healthy solutions with her. Like Jamo said, just be there for her.

ps:
I MYSELF DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN SELF-MUTILATION
im just concerned and I want to learn about this growing health issue

Just simple be there for her! That is what she needs, someone who is not going to call her names or label her. Just be her friend and stick by her side no matter what!

phew
good then I was doing the right things

I cut.
And it's just the way I deal with things.
I mean, it's just a way to like get your mind off of the world.
escape from reality.
when you cut it's like all you are focused on is this one little cut.
you do it as hard//deep as you are feeling at that moment when you see it bleed it gives you like this high.
it goes away quickly though..so that is why she continues to do it.
to continually get that relief. that high. that moment in time that gets her mind off things.

I know how she feels..

I cut.
See, self injury is an addiction.
That's why we (people who self injure) do it so much.
Trying to quit is like trying to quit smoking.
When you are quitting smoking you crave a cigarette.
You want to smoke SOO bad.
When you are trying to stop self injuring you feel the need to.
You want to do.
You feel like you HAVE to.
That's why we have so many relapses.

Basically, for me, it's just this sense of being able to control pain.
Like people with annorexia.
They feel that food is the only thing they can control.
I feel like I can't control the emotional pain that I have.
But I can control the physical pain.
And I like knowing that I made that cut.
Not someone else.

All you can do for her is to be there for her.
Tell her you love her.
Sometimes that's all anyone needs to hear.
Listen to her.
Let her know that if she needs some one to talk to, she can talk to you.

If she starts back up with the self injury, help her find help.
Help her find a therapist or go with her to tell her parents or some one.

But while your helping her through this, keep safe yourself.
If she relapses, don't blame yourself and don't feel guilty.
It's a common thing to do.

IF you have anymore questions or anything, funmail me.

Try this site, it has a lot of info about self harm and living with it...

http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/injury.html

        Simply a Rose to brighten your day,
        And maybe lessen the cares in your way;
        And also, too, to help you to know,
        That in knowing you, many others grow!

 
Information on teen depression:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/depression_teen_teenagers.htm

 
Information on self injury:

http://www.helpguide.org/mental/self_injury.htm

 
Do you WANT to stop cutting? Then check out this site:

http://www.healthyplace.com/Communities/Self_Injury/BloodRed/stop/index.html