The immediate effects of cutting, and the overall practice, can be addictive. Fact Fiction
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Some people liken the addictive feeling toward cutting to an addiction to drugs or alcohol. They talk about needing increasingly more or deeper injuries to feel the same effects.
If I believe that a friend of mine is cutting, I shouldn’t ask about it. Fact Fiction
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Not knowing how to bring up the subject, and feeling uncomfortable with the topic, may keep concerned friends or family members from asking questions. However, concern for their well-being is often what people who engage in cutting need most. Evasive responses are common, but persistent, neutral questioning may eventually elicit honest responses.
There are healthy alternatives to cutting. Fact Fiction
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Cutting is a way for some people to cope with their emotions or outside stressors. Treatment for cutting focuses on enhancing people’s awareness of the stressors that trigger cutting and on helping them identify, practice, and use more productive and positive means of coping.
Cutting occurs mostly among women. Fact Fiction
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While it is commonly assumed that women are more likely to cut than men, recent studies suggest that women are only slightly more likely to engage in cutting behaviors. Similarly, available evidence suggests that self-injury is practiced in all ethnic groups and among people of all socio-economic backgrounds.
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Unexplained burns, cuts, bruising, scars, healing or healed wounds, or similar markings on the skin
Implausible stories which may explain one, but not all, physical injuries
Dressing inappropriately for the season (e.g., consistently wearing long sleeves or pants in summer)
Constant use of wristbands, large watchbands, or large bracelets
Frequent bandages or other methods of covering wounds (e.g., make-up)
Odd/unexplainable paraphernalia (e.g., razor blades)
Unwillingness to participate in activities that require less body coverage (e.g., swimming)
After losing a friend to suicide in high school, Alexandra is determined to help a college friend who is struggling.
Success and fame unleash the scars of childhood abuse for Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins.
Self-injury is a problem that affects so many people regardless of race or gender.
Cutting often begins between the ages of 12 and 15, but studies suggest that 30-40% of college students who cut begin at 17 years or older.
Because cutting often occurs in private, it is difficult to gauge how commonly cutting occurs. It is estimated that cutting occurs in anywhere from 4% to 38% of the population.
An estimated 1/2 to 2/3 of people who cut also have an eating disorder.
Over 1/3 of the respondents in a college study who reported cutting indicated that no one knew about the behavior.
Studies have shown that individuals with a history of cutting are over 9 times more likely to report suicide attempts and nearly 6 times more likely to report having a suicide plan.
Over the last couple of weeks have you felt badly about yourself, such as thinking that you are a failure of have let someone down?
Yes No
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Have you noticed recent changes in your behavior, such as sleep pattern, eating habits, mood or interests?
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Have you been feeling tired, sad, blue or depressed lately?
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Have you been having difficulty managing stress in your daily life?
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Have you ever felt you should cut down on your use of alcohol or drugs (illegal or prescription)?
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Over the last couple of weeks have you had trouble concentrating or felt your thoughts came more slowly or seemed mixed-up?
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Have you found yourself in situations where you felt more anxious than usual?
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Your answers indicate that you may be dealing with one or more problems that you should explore further. Use our anonymous Check Yourself tool to learn more or contact your campus health or counseling center for support.
Your answers indicate that you may not be struggling with the most common student mental health issues. If you're still concerned about recent feelings or behavior, use our anonymous Check Yourself tool to learn more.
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www.selfinjury.com
800-DONTCUT (366-8288)
www.nami.org
1-800-950-NAMI (6264)
www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/
(800)789-2647
www.nmha.org/
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org
(800) 931-2237
www.crpsib.com
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