Help I tried cutting and it didn’t help

[SeonSeia]

I cut myself successfully for the first time this morning during an anxiety attack. I've tried many times but this is the first time I went through with it.

It didn't help at all. Am I doing something wrong? Like, what part of it is supposed to help? Seeing the blood, the pain, or something else?

It was a small cut. Little blood and didn't hurt at all. Was that the problem? It's already half healed a couple hours later. Should I do a deeper one for it to help? But then it'd be harder to hide, especially if it scars. My skin scars very easily. Literally tiny ant bites will scar.

Maybe it's not for me. I always saw it as instead of physical pain blocking the mental pain, it's just double the pain.

I'm running out of coping mechanisms to try, man. Even the unhealthy ones aren't helping. Can someone suggest some please?? Like uncommon ones.

 

[InvasionOfPublicity]

I don't recommend cutting at all. It's just glorified and broadcasted in the media, but honestly, if you're looking for a coping mech, try something else. You'll just hurt yourself and feel stupid. Please don't cut. If you really can't help it, I've known people who would draw as a way to subvert their cutting urges. But overall, just don't cut yourself. There is no "successful" way of cutting.

If you really are looking to CTB, there are many other ways. But cutting is one of the least effective way of doing it.

 

[jeevasO-o]

Cutting might not work for everyone. People do it for many different reasons, wanting to feel something, pain, proof of suffering, to ground themselves..., I hope you'll get better<3 I also struggle with coping.
(Oft: Dazai pfp :P)

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

It won't help. Cutting is a coping mechanism akin to anorexia—the point isn't for it to help. If it does nothing for you, leave it behind. Trust me.

 

[SufferingDev]

If it did not help - do not do it. You are to help yourself one way or another.

I actually wondered if physical pain can at least temporary surpass mental one - I guess should try it someday - just for the sake of curiosity.

 

[maplebar]

It won't help. Personally, I find it very addicting, but it's not the best coping mechanism. You don't gain anything out of it besides harming yourself, for me it is relief but I don't recommend it

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

I guess should try it someday - just for the sake of curiosity.

It's addictive, whether it helps you or not. I tried it for unrelated reasons and it had me hook-line-and-sinker. Seriously, just leave it be, trying it won't be worth it.

That's like "trying" an extremely addictive drug that you have an unlimited supply of and a way harder time getting sober from. When I compare it to anorexia, I'm not joking.

 

[SufferingDev]

It's addictive, whether it helps you or not. I tried it for unrelated reasons and it had me hook-line-and-sinker. Seriously, just leave it be, trying it won't be worth it.

That's like "trying" an extremely addictive drug that you have an unlimited supply of and a way harder time getting sober from. When I compare it to anorexia, I'm not joking.

Hm...that put a new perspective on it, thanks for insight.

 

[SeonSeia]

If it did not help - do not do it. You are to help yourself one way or another.

I actually wondered if physical pain can at least temporary surpass mental one - I guess should try it someday - just for the sake of curiosity.

In my experience, it can. But only when the physical pain is so bad that everything shuts down, not just the bad stuff. So like, there's really no point.

 

[NormallyNeurotic]

In my experience, it can. But only when the physical pain is so bad that everything shuts down, not just the bad stuff. So like, there's really no point.

Yeah, and the issue is that whether even THAT works depends on the person. Everyone's adrenaline levels, pain threshhold, dissociative threshold, etc, are different.

 

[ConfusedClouds]

I agree to the above. If it didn't work/help you then do NOT force it. Try other coping strategies. I am one who regrets and struggles massively with scars which actually make me worse with fears about being asked questions and typically losing words, getting flustered and spiralling in all the unhelpful directions.

 

[LonelyPrince]

I cut myself successfully for the first time this morning during an anxiety attack. I've tried many times but this is the first time I went through with it.

It didn't help at all. Am I doing something wrong? Like, what part of it is supposed to help? Seeing the blood, the pain, or something else?

It was a small cut. Little blood and didn't hurt at all. Was that the problem? It's already half healed a couple hours later. Should I do a deeper one for it to help? But then it'd be harder to hide, especially if it scars. My skin scars very easily. Literally tiny ant bites will scar.

Maybe it's not for me. I always saw it as instead of physical pain blocking the mental pain, it's just double the pain.

I'm running out of coping mechanisms to try, man. Even the unhealthy ones aren't helping. Can someone suggest some please?? Like uncommon ones.

Cutting doesn't help, I'm saying this as someone who does it.
I cut because I love seeing my own blood and leaving scars that demonstrate my suffering.
It doesn't really work like this for everyone.

If I knew any healthy coming mechanisms i'd actually recommend them but sadly nothing comes to mind rn.

Something that grounded me though during my anxiety attacks was this plushie that simulates breathing, with its chest going up and down.

 

[ConfusedClouds]

If I knew any healthy coming mechanisms i'd actually recommend them

One thats come to mind just now for me is high intensity exercise. Using something a simple as a hill or stairs. Sprint up. Walk down. Repeat. Pain, difficulty, something to scream at whilst doing, can go a few short sharp reps for a quick blast 'reset' or through to full exhaustion going again and again. If its only a single flight of stairs, it might take a few repetitions, but it'll still do the job.

@SeonSeia , experiment with different strategies out there, maybe the thread Crisis resources for anxiety/ might help with some ideas to try. Good luck.

 

[Lost Impact]

As others said, don't force it if it didn't help. Some people use self-harm for difference levels of coping. For me, it's using the physical pain to dull out other senses. Do NOT cut deeper if a smaller one didn't help. It can easily become an addiction if you keep trying. If it's not for you, it's not for you.

For more healthier coping methods, I use little fidget toys for some stress/anxiety (because sometimes self-harming just isn't something I want to do in the moment). I think they're good distractions. Find something to clean, build something like a chair or shelf. Some type of minor physical activity (in case you have issues with rougher exercise). Those help too.

 

[BillyBob]

Try not to cut. It does not work for everyone and there are different reasons people do it. Like others have said it does not work for everyone.
The issue is that if someone sees the cuts then they will worry about you and it is seen as a big warning sign so there is a larger chance that someone will report you possibly.
That and the scars depending on the size are permanent and it sucks if things were to get better for you somehow that there will always be that reminder on your body which is a big worry for you depending on your age.

Hope you are able to find a different way to handle things besides cutting. Going for a small walk, music or small toys etc to keep you busy for a little while to prevent the damage.

 

[chaewon]

I cut myself successfully for the first time this morning during an anxiety attack. I've tried many times but this is the first time I went through with it.

It didn't help at all. Am I doing something wrong? Like, what part of it is supposed to help? Seeing the blood, the pain, or something else?

It was a small cut. Little blood and didn't hurt at all. Was that the problem? It's already half healed a couple hours later. Should I do a deeper one for it to help? But then it'd be harder to hide, especially if it scars. My skin scars very easily. Literally tiny ant bites will scar.

Maybe it's not for me. I always saw it as instead of physical pain blocking the mental pain, it's just double the pain.

I'm running out of coping mechanisms to try, man. Even the unhealthy ones aren't helping. Can someone suggest some please?? Like uncommon ones.

It doesnt necessarily work for everyone, I always questioned cutting and never understood why some people use it as a coping mechanism until I impulsively tried with eyebrow razors out of anger and had baby cuts similar to what u describe and eventually a few sessions later cut myself so deep until a white layer showed and I had to go to ER, lie, and sit embarassed and humiliated while getting stitched knowing they do not believe my story for shit and definitely knew it is self inflicted (but thankfully didnt care enough to report anything). In my experience, the only plessure I got out of it was seeing myself being harmed by my own self, which to me was like proof of suffering and bringing my pain from inside my head onto me physically to prove to myself that it is real (something like that?) but other than that it just hurts and leaves ugly scars

 

[sanctionedusage]

cutting doesn't help; it's just enjoyable for people who have violent impulses or gore watching tendencies. and it being enjoyable is what helps in moments of distress, like watching a funny show you like when you're sad. the show doesn't matter, as long as you like it. the first time i cut as a kid was experimental to see if i could train hunger out of myself by cutting every time i wanted to eat, and while that obviously didn't work, i kept doing it after the first cut (specifically the sight of blood) really interested me, which i didn't expect. cutting has never hurt for me, with dull or sharp blades, so it really was always about the blood. it's addictive and habit-forming in the same way any other hobby you like makes you want to return to it, even more so because it's taboo, exciting, risky, etc.. but if you don't like doing it and never independently felt the urge to, obviously it won't 'help' you.