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Clients who self-mutilate, such as cutting, often do so primarily to relieve stress. This behavior can serve as a coping mechanism to manage overwhelming emotions or psychological pain. When an individual engages in self-harm, they may experience a temporary sense of relief from emotional distress, anxiety, or feelings of numbness. The physical pain associated with self-injury may distract from emotional pain, providing a momentary escape or clarity in a way that other coping strategies may not.

In contrast, other motivations, such as gaining attention or expressing creativity, do not fully encompass the underlying emotional needs typically driving self-mutilation. While some individuals may display self-harming behaviors in public settings, the primary catalyst is often an internal struggle rather than an external desire for attention. Similarly, control over one's environment can be a factor in some behaviors but is less commonly associated specifically with self-mutilation. The impulsive nature and limited emotional expression typically underlying self-harm point more directly to a need for stress relief.