Why does cutting have such a positive psychological response for the cutter?

i totally agree with you. i was 12 when i started and thought i was crazy for doing it. i had never heard of anyone else cutting before. i still do it to this day, i'm 26, and its an addiction for me. it's all i think about until i'm done. it's a nice rush then i'm relaxed. i love the feel of whatever i'm using on my skin, the burning and stinging and watching the blood come out. and even after, when they're sore and tight feeling, i love it. yeah i'm weird i guess. ANYWAY i think that there has to be a scientific reason for it. i just don't know what. AND! i don't think everyone who cuts does it for attention. i do it where it can't be seen and nobody even knew until about a year ago.