Why do we get the urge to hurt ourselves when we’re extremely stressed out?
Not everyone has these feelings. Some do, and some even act on them. There are a few reasons.
The Short Answer
Not everyone has these feelings. Some do, and some even act on them. There are a few reasons. – Actual or contemplated pain acts as a distraction against the stressful situation. – Actual pain releases endorphins, brain chemicals that help us feel better, like a built-in medicine. (Eating hot chilies also does this.) – Some people report that the ability to hurt themselves makes them feel like at least they are control of something.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Actual, pain, feel
This explanation focuses on actual, pain, feel and spans 74 words across 6 sentences. The depth is typical for Psychology questions (category average: 68 words), striking a balance between accessibility and completeness.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Not everyone has these feelings.” It then elaboratesultimately building toward a complete picture across 6 connected points.
How This Compares in Psychology
Ranked #189 of 500 Psychology questions by answer depth (top 39%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why we get the urge to hurt ourselves when we're extremely stressed out?
Not everyone has these feelings. Some do, and some even act on them. There are a few reasons. – Actual or contemplated pain acts as a distraction against the stressful situation. – Actual pain releases endorphins, brain chemicals that help us feel…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Psychology questions?
This is an above-average answer at 74 words, ranked #189 of 500 Psychology questions by depth. The key concepts covered are actual, pain, feel.
What approach does this answer take to explain we get the urge to hurt ourselves when we're extremely stres?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 74 words. It is categorized under Psychology and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.