why do teens cut

Teens engage in cutting primarily as a way to cope with intense emotional pain or distress. Cutting, a form of self-harm, is often an attempt to feel relief from overwhelming emotions such as anxiety, depression, rejection, or grief. Many teens who cut themselves report that the physical pain distracts them from or helps release their psychological pain, providing a temporary sense of calm or relief. This behavior is not usually a suicide attempt but can be a way to manage emotions they find too difficult to express or bear. Additionally, cutting can become habitual and addictive as the relief reinforces the behavior. Teens who self-harm are often highly emotional, sensitive, and self-critical, and may lack healthier coping skills. Self- injury can also serve as a means of communication when teens feel that verbal expression of their pain is ignored or misunderstood. In summary, cutting is a complex behavior driven by psychological, biological, and social factors that helps some teens regulate intense emotions or escape emotional numbness, even though it comes with serious risks.