Is cutting the sort way out of dealing with anger and stress/depression?

thank you, enjoy your day further

Hi YTAK,

Cutting is self-mutilation, so I would never say that it is an easy way out. However, it is in irrational way of coping. You are hurting yourself to take away from another kind of pain.

People who cut themselves are people who have not found a way to cope. When emotions don't get expressed in a healthy way, tension can build up — sometimes to a point where it seems almost unbearable. Cutting may be an attempt to relieve that extreme tension. For some, it seems like a way of feeling in control.

Although generally people who self-injure have some other mental illness accompanying the cutting, I feel like in your case, this could be related to certain trauma experienced at home. As a teenager, you already have the capability to understand that although a marriage can be a beautiful thing and keeping your family together is ideal, it can also be more beneficial for everyone involved to ultimately get a divorce. Your parents constant battle with each other seems to be weighing down on you more than it is on them and this needs to be addressed. Either you parents get it together, see a therapist, and stop unintentionally bring you into their fights, or it has to end for the benefit of everyone.

It would also benefit you to see a therapist either with them or just you alone if you'd rather talk to someone without having your parents with you.

I know that by cutting you aren't intending on killing yourself-- it's more of a relief for you...something that makes you feel better temporarily. However, this can be habit-forming and that's when it becomes difficult to stop.

Here's a great site for teens with some breathing exercises and ways to stop hurting yourself. http://kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/feeling_sad/cutting.html#

Always keep in mind that even if you are mad at someone else--you are only hurting yourself and, ultimately, you will have to live with any scars that cutting has left you with. You have the power to stop this-- read through the tips on the kids health site and speak to your life skills teacher so that you have someone to go to when you feel like you can't get through it alone.

Best Wishes,

Rosa