Is it weird that i cut myself even though i'm not depressed

Okay, so I cut myself every now and then. But, I am NOT depressed, sad, emotionally unstable, and I don't have any disorders (that im aware of). I don't really know how to explain it, I just like doing it. I am fully aware that it isn't healthy but, it's something that is hard to stop doing for me. I don't cut myself enough to kill myself, that's not my goal, I don't have any particular goal, I just enjoy doing a few cuts once in a while. I do it throughout the week. The longest I've gone without cutting myself is probably three weeks..? I asked my friend if it's normal to her/him or not, (I didn't say I was actually doing it) they said that's their problem. And I've gone on multiple websites.

Voting Results
25% Normal
Based on 20 votes (5 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • Lisakimmie

    This sounds like you might have an addiction, try talking to someone about it

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  • Anongirl26

    No. It's totally not normal, even if you're not depressed. You have a real masochistic addiction on your hands and should see a health professional and learn to stop

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  • Memer666

    Please don't cut yourself even if you're not depressed. Self-harm is bad and even though you do it just because you like it you are harming your beautiful body. Please, please see a doctor. You definitely have an addiction. Also find other methods rather than cutting yourself that don't actually harm you.

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    • sadwhendepressed

      What do you mean by methods? And also, do you have any suggestions?

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  • Pumpurrnickel

    That's not normal at all. Since it's difficult for you to stop, talk to someone close or a therapist about it.

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  • bobia_borupski

    my husband, paul walker, was burned alive and that was funny as hell fell better !!!

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  • gwxnn

    It's not healthy although I'm sure that sounds redundant.. as for the reason of the addiction: Self-harm releases endorphins in the brain, which can quickly cause an addiction, regardless of emotion

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  • NashamaTheWeird

    It's not normal. You can get scars and infections and it could be dangerous if you accidentally cut deeper than you meant to. It seems like you have an addiction to cutting yourself and like the adrenaline rush. I recommend talking to a therapist.

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  • Boojum

    I've never done it, so I can't speak from personal experience - not that it would matter if I could, since I'm not you.

    Some suggested explanations for the urge here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-be-yourself/201610/self-injury-4-reasons-people-cut-and-what-do

    A couple of other explanations I've heard which aren't listed on that page:

    The pain of cutting releases endorphins, which gives you a bit of a buzz, and that can be addictive in a way similar to how some people can get hooked on exercise or spicy food.

    Also, if you feel you have no control over your life, cutting might be a way of controlling one thing you can: what you do with your own body.

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  • RoseIsabella

    It's probably not a good idea. I have not cut myself in a long time, it will be ten years in January since I last cut myself.

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    • Ellenna

      So how did you get yourself to stop doing it? That could be helpful information for OP and others reading this thread.

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      • RoseIsabella

        Thanks for asking. Well to be honest wasn't cutting myself as much as I used to at the time. I saw how much it was scaring and chasing the people in my life away, and made a conscious decision to stop cutting at the time. I chose to fight the urge to cut and channel that urge unto other physical behavior's like exercising. I don't exercise that much now, but when I was stopped cutting I was exercising quite regularly. What really helped me a lot was that the gym I was going to was 24 hours, because I'm not much of a day person.

        I also have worked with a good therapist who didn't invalidate my feelings which is a huge thing for me. I think when one is depressed, anxious and dealing with a mood, and or personality disorder what is probably one of the most annoying and counter-productive things is when people close to the cutter invalidate feelings, and try to shove the happy down one's throat.

        I think another thing that really helped for me was getting a formal diagnosis. Once I knew what was wrong with me I choose to take the medications I was prescribed, go to therapy with a qualified professional and I read as much about my particular issues as I could. I do want to also say with regard to medication that it's important to tell one's doctor about any negative side effects and also to find a therapist with whom one is comfortable. Sometimes it's necessary to change doctors or therapists. Also a person has to be honest with him or himself about mental illness, and not live in denial.

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