Gosh theres so many facets to self harming and 'the other' element cannot be ignored since we are social beings and gain our sense of self through our relationships with other people. 'Punishing' is a word that my T used, she felt that i had cut myself one night because i felt angry with her for referring to me and my emotions as a pressure cooker, and that i was punishing her! That was news to me, because how could i be punishing HER by cutting MY skin?! Again, its probably not a case of one or the other but a bit of both at the same time. We cut to fulfill a personal need, needs that are related to how we view ourselves in society and what we are getting from the various people we are surrounded with. All i know is that ive been feeling SO empty for the past two days because i havent had the urge to cut at all!