I notice I cut when having anxiety attacks or when in depression episodes (although my meds have stabilized me tremendously, sometimes have those days). I feel I cannot breathe when having an anxiety attack, and cutting helps release everything, and I am able to breathe again, literally. I also cut to punish, feel something when I feel numb, and release endorphines when extremely sad. I have come a long way with it, as in, not resorting to it, but sometimes I slip. Definitely best to keep in mind that cutting and any self-injury is such a brief, temporary relief...not worth it in the end.