What are the signs of being a cutter?!
Question: I am in middle school and I think my best friend may be a cutter. What are the signs, I mean, I know u can cut yourself without being a cutter, I mean like anorexia and what not I know it's mental not physical. I don't know, I think he may be cutting herself. If she was where would the scars be and how could I get her to stop. Mainly what are the signs.
Thnx
Answers: I am in middle school and I think my best friend may be a cutter. What are the signs, I mean, I know u can cut yourself without being a cutter, I mean like anorexia and what not I know it's mental not physical. I don't know, I think he may be cutting herself. If she was where would the scars be and how could I get her to stop. Mainly what are the signs.
Thnx
well... there are some people that cut but do not show signs of doing so. i have had many friends that were cutters. they are usually depressed a lot n aren't really happy people. of course a couple(like bout 2) were not showing signs of it.
if they were they usually cut on their wrist or thigh, unless they dont want someone to see that they are. a lot of people cut in different places. some people cut their waist or there side were no one can find out. but usually they cut there wrist n thighs.
They cover themselves with long clothing to hide the scars. That's what I did when I was a cutter. And also they may seem depressed. Why not just ask her if she cuts herself? She's your best friend, you should be able to tell her anything. And if she is tell her to go to a psychiatrist and get help with her depression problem. It helped me a lot.
The main signs are are always wearing long sleeves or long pants and getting weird when asked about it. Also, disappearing into the bathroom ofter/ for a long time. Another sign is being very withdrawn and seeming depressed but gets defensive when asked about it. If you think she may be cutting confront her about it. She might be kind of offended (that is more likely if she is doing it) but let her know you are just asking because you care. If you can't do that, try talking to the guidance counselor at school, tell him you have a friend who you think is cutting herself and let him take it from there.
Cutting is often explained by the people who get into it, that it's the only way they can feel "alive" whatever that means. My daughter was doing it for a while, and she liked to keep this dark secret to somehow make her feel "special". The signs are hard to discern, as they usually go to great lengths to cut where nobody can see the scars. It is definitely a form of mental illness. My daughter stopped only after intense counseling, and time. She eventually "grew out of it". Others may have more info for you, especially recovered cutters. It is a relatively "new" form of self mutilation.
don't ask her if she's a cutter. ask her questions like:
how have things been at home lately?
how do you feel at school?
is anything on your mind that you want to talk about?
ask her to see what the root of the problem is. cutter's usually cut because they have lost control in some way, and this is their way of taking it back. much like with anorexia, they think that damaging their bodies will make them feel better. but they find out it doesn't. severe depression is usually a major cause. so just talk to her. maybe if she is depressed you can get her to see someone about it. i know it's hard because you're young and this is something way over your head. but don't point it out at school and don't spread it around. if you really care, just talk to her. see what's going on and maybe talk to your school conselor.
if you know someone who might be cutting themselves you should tell someone else even if your friend would feel like you were betraying them. I had a good friend I thought was cutting himself I didn't say anything and he ended up bleeding to death he didn't even want to kill himself he accidentally cut his mine artery in his arm his mom found him half dead on his bedroom floor he died on the way to the hospital. I'm not trying to scar you but I wish so much I would have said something then maybe he'd still be alive.