There are dozens upon dozens of different reasons why cutting can be a negative influence on a person's mentality. Some of the most common examples are:
- Obviously, you are endangering yourself. Whether you like to believe you are in control or not, it really doesn't matter. Causing physical harm to ones own body in a ritualistic manner (such as addictive cutting) is extremely dangerous. I think you basically admitted that by saying your left arm is now numb to pain. You probably went a little overboard and screwed with a nerve or two.
- Cutting is known to be addicting. I cannot think of one traditional addiction that is in any way positive.
- The act of cutting is highly correlated with depression and other mental instabilities, many cutters admit that the physical harm takes away the emotional pain (or lessens it, perhaps). Cutting becomes a tool used to disguise pain from your brain. If you do not allow yourself to grieve or chemically balance yourself out normally (and that word is used loosely) then you are telling yourself not to deal with it at all.
-"Cutting is what experts call an unhealthy coping mechanism. This means that the people who do it have not developed healthy ways of dealing with strong emotions, intense pressure, or upsetting relationship problems" (
kidshealth).
-Anemia and dehydration are also side effects of self injury (
source).
People cut for different reasons, but it typically begins with some form of stress, trauma or life altering situation. In teenagers, anything from a bad breakup to overwhelming school work can become a factor. I cut for three years, and that was seven+ years ago. I started out of curiosity, and enjoyed it. Looking back, I did it during a time when I lost control of myself. I was partying and other silly behavior, and while cutting was relatively new (or not as 'popular' or well known as it is now) at the time, no one ever really noticed. I have very severe eczema, and I think cutting became a way that I controlled the ugliness of my skin. One day I sliced a little too deeply, and that was when I knew it was time to stop. I haven't done it since. In fact, I am a CLS and transitional specialist at my local Mental Health facility now. A lot of my clients are cutters, and although I keep my personal experience out of our treatment plans, every day teaches me something new.
Cutting isn't a positive hobby. There's nothing good about releasing your emotions that way. Any form of self injury is easily a mental disturbance that can alter the way you perceive, react and learn. It becomes a lifestyle.
I sincerely hope you consider quitting, as I feel it would be in our best interest.
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