Self-Mutilation as form of body modification/meditation.

[Revolte]

Is self-mutilation a form of body modification? And can or should it be considered a healthy, somewhat meditating, form of retaining more dangerous outlets of negative mental states from manifesting?

Personally I find the same calming I get from being pierced or tattooed in self-mutilation (Yes I seldom cut as well as burn and other forms of self inflicted damage). As well as I have long pondered and even taken part in using scars as artwork on my body. And while I detest violence of any form in any situation outside of a dire need of survival, I do believe that some of the "issues" I have in which I refuse mainstream treatments would likely escalate into full fledged suicide or outward violent acts (as has happened in my past) if it where not for physical "releases" (be it tattoos, cigarette burns or anything in-between).

[BienvenuJDC]

I personally would not consider all tattoos and/or piercings to be self-mutilation. I think for it to be self-mutilation would depend heavily on the intent, manner, and method.

[Revolte]

I personally would not consider all tattoos and/or piercings to be self-mutilation. I think for it to be self-mutilation would depend heavily on the intent, manner, and method.

Well the topic isn't really about tattoos, it's about stereotypical self-mutilation. Like cutting.

[LitNetIsGreat]

Self-mutilation is absurd. Excluding serious mental issues, there can be no justification for cutting/burning/scaring/chopping off a finger at all. The mere thought of it is very repulsive to me, especially as it has just taken three weeks to get rid of a serious infection I got from a small cut while shaving, not fun. So no, it's not healthy or meditative in any way.

[Alexander III]

Call it what you want, it is just masochism. You get pleasure from hurting yourself, thats fine and dandy. It's not a lifestyle choice, you are born with it, some people are born sadistic and masochistic and enjoy all the leather and chains with the sex.

[Emil Miller]

Call it what you want, it is just masochism. You get pleasure from hurting yourself, thats fine and dandy. It's not a lifestyle choice, you are born with it, some people are born sadistic and masochistic and enjoy all the leather and chains with the sex.

The only time I was wearing leather during sexual congress was when I forgot to take my wristwatch off.

[Calidore]

Call it what you want, it is just masochism. You get pleasure from hurting yourself, thats fine and dandy. It's not a lifestyle choice, you are born with it, some people are born sadistic and masochistic and enjoy all the leather and chains with the sex.

Except self-mutilation isn't just about hurting yourself, but damaging yourself.

[Delta40]

Self-mutilation is addictive and releases endorphins each time you do it. It becomes a coping mechanism to deal with pressures, stresses, pent up feelings rather that dealing with them in a more conventional sense and this is particularly worrisome for younger people who may not have even developed the skills to deal with them and find that self-harm among alot of their friends is the norm. There are alternative self-harm practices which you can inflict upon yourself without incurring serious damage or lifelong scars.

Having had a daughter who cut herself to shreds in her teens, I see nothing healthy about it.

[Buh4Bee]

Whichever way, I think most "research", medical experts, and even alternative thinks would consider self-mutilation an unhealthy way to cope with anxiety. When you think about this in practical terms, there can be general health reasons and social reasons that would make one consider this type of behavior unhealthy. But then again, if the behavior doesn't have an adverse affect on one's life...

[Buh4Bee]

But having read what Delta wrote, makes much more sense than what I posted. It just makes more sense in terms of dealing with life in a productive way.

[Alexander III]

Except self-mutilation isn't just about hurting yourself, but damaging yourself.

What, extinguishing a cigarrete on your forearm, cutting yourself a bit - thats not serious damage, that is just having fun with ones masochistic pleasure tendencies.

I have know a couple guys who do this stuff, they are harmless people, what they do is mostly harmless, and it gives them pleasure, so I don't see much wrong with it.

People who really want to damage themselves have problems - people who use little knives to cut themselves or burn themselves a bit, don't have real problems, they just do it because it gives them some pleasure, maybe because they think it is a big act of rebellion and they get off on tat, or maybe the action itslef gives them pleasure.

Self-mutilation is more extreem, like a man chopping off his dick.

[LitNetIsGreat]

What, extinguishing a cigarrete on your forearm, cutting yourself a bit - thats not serious damage, that is just having fun with ones masochistic pleasure tendencies.

Having fun by "cutting yourself a bit" have people gone completely insane or is it just me?

[BookBeauty]

Pain can cause adrenaline, and even endorphins to release in the brain in order to counter it. It is biologically natural.

When a cat is playing with a mouse, it is actually a 'merciful' act. The mouse is so filled with adrenaline and endorphins, its death is painless.

Humans mutilating, and/or inflicting pain upon themselves in order to cope with stress (I use the word 'stress' rather flexibly), is not biologically natural, and in a more psychological sense, I think it is harmful.

Tattoos and body modifications on their own are artistic and even poetic.

But, inflicting pain upon oneself is a temporary relief for individuals at best and, I think at least, an indicator of a deep-seated issue that needs a healthier, more long term resolution.

[Emil Miller]

Having fun by "cutting yourself a bit" have people gone completely insane or is it just me?

No it's not you, it's people have gone completely insane. They start off in a small way and finish up doing this.

http://youtu.be/-SefD84fbEE

[LitNetIsGreat]

No it's not you, it's people have gone completely insane. They start off in a small way and finish up doing this.

http://youtu.be/-SefD84fbEE

That's a big saw.