What is Cutting?

Cutting is a form of control for many teenagers. When teenagers feel sad or upset, the way they cope is by cutting or scratching their body. This is a form of self-injury, or SI, where the cuts are deep enough to break the skin and bleed. Many teenagers will use a razor and anytime they feel upset or helpless, they will cut themselves. Although cutting is more common among females, males also have been reported using self injury to cope with their depression as well. Teenagers will cut themselves on their wrist, arms, legs, or bellies; areas which are hidden, but can also possibly be seen by others. When the cuts heal, they leave scars and only the teen knows what they are from and it becomes their own secret as they controlled this behavior.