Why do people give any concern about self-harm?

[Snuffkin]

This is assuming of course that the hypothetical person isn't a whiny fucking emo who talks about it constantly. If they are like the vast majority of people who engage in the practice, why would anybody give a shit? Hell, as long as you're not cutting to the vein, it's a less self-destructive habit than drinking until you damage your liver, smoking or getting into fights anyway.

The odd thing is, I've been called a dick before for not being concerned when someone else is doing it. Again though, why attempt to interfere or act morally magnanimous about it?

Oh, and in case the relative lack of empathy in the post seems to be due to my sexual tastes, I'm not at all sadistic, actually:
"As for stuff I'm into that could he misunderstood, that's damn near everything. I guess I'll go straight for mutilation. There are multiple factors here, the first and foremost is endorphin rush. I can't speak for anyone else because human physiology is pretty diverse, but for me it radically increases the sensations I get out of everything else. It's fucking nice. There's also the sort of empathetic high I get from knowing that I'm sharing that feeling. The aesthetic appeals to me as well, but I don't really feel like getting into that. Lastly, I see it as a pretty high mark of intimacy. To allow someone else to alter and damage your being, and vice-versa--it's a far greater sharing of trust and physical companionship than simply using someone to sate base biological needs."

[Snuffkin]

Damn title character limit.

WARNING: Doubleposting is against forum rules - second warning of the same offense, third warning overall for you - IMPERIAL

[ProNice]

Thats an interesting topic.
I think people care about self-harming because to them it is comparable to drug usage
and other activities that alter your body/mind in a way that is somehow harmful / destructive.
Of course everybody is in their right to do with their life what they want, but we are empathic beings.
We can't just easily witness such behavior without projecting it onto ourself, I guess.

Edit.: And double-posting can be conveniently replaced by the editing the initial post

[alabaster]

Thats an interesting topic.

Aren't you supposed to be in bed.

[ProNice]

I am in bed. Just typing some last words from the laptop^^

[imperial.standard]

Third Warning, Snuffkin.

[Snuffkin]

For what, exactly?

[imperial.standard]

Check your warning - you have been warned for the same offense before.

EDIT: Warnings clarified on all your offending posts so it's clear.

[Carolinae]

Thats an interesting topic.
I think people care about self-harming because to them it is comparable to drug usage
and other activities that alter your body/mind in a way that is somehow harmful / destructive..

As someone who has been a victim of self mutiliation, I will confirm it as a yes. It has nothing to do with being an emo or anything, its all just because of loneliness. We became so lonely we start to doubt our existance and we induce pain in order to feel alive. Its one level in despair where you can no longer differ "affection from pain"

Of course everybody is in their right to do with their life what they want, but we are empathic beings.
We can't just easily witness such behavior without projecting it onto ourself, I guess

- im afraid your wrong here.
Humans does not stop a person from self mutilation because of emphaty. But because they dont want to feel disturbed. It was already proven that people can feel pain just by watching
No one wants to share that feeling so it will be an automatic response to get rid of it. Either by fleeing from the scene or by rescue. I mean, we see hundreds rescuing someone who commits sefuku, but no one comes to aid a starving beggar or a deliquent in drugs. Its sad but true, humans are predictable

EDIT:
I know that I am just a new member here and I should not be speaking with authority but, imperial.standard, dont you think that you are already too strict?

Check "bad posting" section, second clause - IMPERIAL

[enagemegane]

Thats an interesting topic.
I think people care about self-harming because to them it is comparable to drug usage
and other activities that alter your body/mind in a way that is somehow harmful / destructive..

As someone who has been a victim of self mutiliation, I will confirm it as a yes. It has nothing to do with being an emo or anything, its all just because of loneliness. We became so lonely we start to doubt our existance and we induce pain in order to feel alive. Its one level in despair where you can no longer differ "affection from pain"

Of course everybody is in their right to do with their life what they want, but we are empathic beings.
We can't just easily witness such behavior without projecting it onto ourself, I guess

- im afraid your wrong here.
Humans does not stop a person from self mutilation because of emphaty. But because they dont want to feel disturbed. It was already proven that people can feel pain just by watching
No one wants to share that feeling so it will be an automatic response to get rid of it. Either by fleeing from the scene or by rescue. I mean, we see hundreds rescuing someone who commits sefuku, but no one comes to aid a starving beggar or a deliquent in drugs. Its sad but true, humans are predictable

EDIT:
I know that I am just a new member here and I should not be speaking with authority but, imperial.standard, dont you think that you are already too strict?

Check "bad posting" section, second clause - IMPERIAL

Come and introduce yourself!

[Gloom]

I would like to add to Carlinea's informative post and mention that while many certainly do, not all cases of self-harm result from loneliness. People may also engage in deliberately self-destructive activities (things like wrist-cutting, autoasphyxiation or deliberately overdosing on sleeping pills, as opposed to things like drunk driving or unprotected sex, which are self-destructive but usually not purposefully so) due to being unable to handle extreme frustration or stress, for example, or due to fear. In all cases, the common theme is that a great amount of emotion is involved (even though many people who practice self-harm would never admit to it, at least during the act - describing it to others as well as to themselves as a rational, thought out action: "I've given it a lot of thought and realized I don't want to live anymore). That isn't to say that it is a purely emotional thing - at least in most cases. There is usually some thought involved, but ultimately I think it comes down to just not being able to contain that negative emotional "energy" or however you'd like to define it.

That's my top-of-the-head view of it, anyway.

Pleased to make your acquaintance and welcome to our forums, by the way!

[Ravenous]

There is also a conditioning aspect to self-harm as well. Cutters can become addicted to the action because causing the injury causes the body to release chemicals to dull the pain which also causes a mild euphoria. Thus a learned behavior begins that is more or less "You were stressed and frustrated but then you cut yourself and it felt really good after." Its just like tobacco or alcohol (which opens a whole new can of worms).

[TheLastMelody]

I love how I learn so much about the human psyche and a little about chemicals when reading these forums.

Also, I don't think double posting is such a serious offense, unless it is done deliberately :/

I did it myself alot until I learned where the edit button was, so please try to be more lenient, I am not opposing you, Imperial, I am merely voicing my opinion on the matter ^_^

[Snuffkin]

Weird, I don't remember the title of this thread missing "a shit".
I suppose I may as well leave it that way, for posterity's sake.

Thats an interesting topic.
I think people care about self-harming because to them it is comparable to drug usage
and other activities that alter your body/mind in a way that is somehow harmful / destructive..

As someone who has been a victim of self mutiliation, I will confirm it as a yes. It has nothing to do with being an emo or anything, its all just because of loneliness. We became so lonely we start to doubt our existance and we induce pain in order to feel alive. Its one level in despair where you can no longer differ "affection from pain"

Of course everybody is in their right to do with their life what they want, but we are empathic beings.
We can't just easily witness such behavior without projecting it onto ourself, I guess

- im afraid your wrong here.
Humans does not stop a person from self mutilation because of emphaty. But because they dont want to feel disturbed. It was already proven that people can feel pain just by watching
No one wants to share that feeling so it will be an automatic response to get rid of it. Either by fleeing from the scene or by rescue. I mean, we see hundreds rescuing someone who commits sefuku, but no one comes to aid a starving beggar or a deliquent in drugs. Its sad but true, humans are predictable

EDIT:
I know that I am just a new member here and I should not be speaking with authority but, imperial.standard, dont you think that you are already too strict?

Check "bad posting" section, second clause - IMPERIAL

This may come off as dickish, but I really don't think you can call yourself a "victim" when it was self-inflicted.
This isn't one of the unaffected saying this, btw.

[Ravenous]

You erroneously assume that all humans can think rationally 24/7. Many (but not all) those who self-harm do so in less-than-favorable mental conditions. Of course, that concept isn't limited to physical self-harm. I'm convinced that some recent posts were also created under less-than-favorable mental conditions.

[Ninja]

There is a wealth of research literature on self-injurious behavior and why it happens.

Turns out, as far as scientists have empirically demonstrated, SIB is no different than any other type of behavior. Sometimes people learn to do it as a means of getting attention. Sometimes people pick it up as a habit that makes people leave them alone. Sometimes it just kind of feels good.

It's important to differentiate SIB from suicidal behavior, though. Two entirely separate things.

Edit: also, sometimes people figure out that (threatening to engage in) SIB is an effective way of getting other people to do/give what you want.