i also agree that it's easier to deal with the physical than the internal and that it's a method of distraction.

however, generally if i cut it's because it is a control issue. other people can hurt me but -this- i do to myself. i control how much it hurts, what hurts, how it hurts, etc. it's a not healthy way of taking control over my own body.

i also do it when i have too much ickiness (yep that's the technical term i think). i'm not very good at figuring out my own emotions or what causes them so it helps me sometimes to hurt myself so that i can see the angry marks. like making the ephemeral emotion of pain/anger/hurt/rage whatever into something concrete. something i can see and understand.

maybe that's just me. hope that helps.

-shadow