{"formatVersion":"1.1","id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","path":"/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","title":"What’s wrong with me?","family":"Answers detail","description":"A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy.","language":"en-US","access":{"audience":"public","indexable":true},"provenance":{"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","wordpressId":"6198","contentCompleteness":"complete","dateScope":"original-source"},"authors":[{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz#person","name":"Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz"}],"reviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"dates":{"datePublished":"2024-06-01T00:35:14Z","dateModified":"2026-06-05T14:52:52Z","lastReviewed":"2025-09-15"},"content":{"html":"
Answers

What’s wrong with me?

\"\"Written byAllan Schwartz, Ph.D.\"\"Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D.
Published
Updated
Reviewed

Summary

\"Two

A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy. They want to know whether these experiences indicate a mental health problem.

The response takes the concerns seriously and reassures the reader that discussing them is neither a nuisance nor unimportant.

Rather than settling on a diagnosis, it identifies several areas needing assessment and urges prompt psychotherapy, suggesting a cognitive behavioral therapist with eating-disorder expertise because of the risk of harm.

?

Question

Reader · Identity withheld

I don’t really know where to start but basically I think I have some sort of mental problem. Little things tip me over the edge like a girl who I don’t know made a rude weight related comment about me at a party and I should’ve forgotten it and moved on but instead I cut the word fat into my thigh over and over until my friend found my razors and took them away.

\n

I’ve had a history of eating related problems that I won’t bore you with and at first I thought it was just silly teenage girl stuff that a lot of people go through but it’s started feeling odd to me like it could be caused by something bigger.

\n

Also I have all these weird things that I never really realised were odd until recently, like if I go somewhere I haven’t been before I start moving stuff to make it neater and some times I find it impossible to interact with people or like if some one touches me and I don’t expect it it some times really really gets to me like I feel really uncomfortable and angry and just want to hit them.

\n
Show moreShow less

Also I’ve started cutting again but it’s under circumstances that make sense but one of my friends who used to do that, she did that at all funny angles like no order or sense to where the cuts were.

Like when I’ve done it there’s always been sense and a ritual to it. either the word that I’d go over and over each time I cut or neat lines in a row.

\n

What I’d always used cutting for was to keep control of everything and just so I could feel something that wasn’t sadness or confusion or stress but how would that work if there isn’t any order to it like it just doesn’t make any sense to me.

\n

The most weird thing about it all is that I’m a really happy person. Like seriously really happy but when something goes wrong I just can’t take it and do silly things like standing still in the middle of the road watching a car coming towards me waiting for it to hit me or drinking until I can’t think straight or just anything that seems like a good idea at the time. Also I know I just sound like an attention seeker but I’m not.

\n

Honestly the last thing I want is the attention. I can’t stand it. Everyone gets so worried and upset and angry and I hate doing that to people and even if they didn’t care I wouldn’t want them to now because I can’t stand the idea of people knowing I’m feeling rubbish, I suppose that’s really proud and stupid but I can’t help it.

\n

Anyways, sorry for this long rant I think I kind of got carried away there but yeah it’d put my mind at ease to find out if there’s something wrong with me and if there isn’t that’d help too. Either way just an answer would be amazing. Sorry for being a nuisance. Regards Bambi xoxo.

\"\"

Answer

Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.

Dear Bambi,

\n

First, I want to assure you that your E. Mail is not a \"rant.\" In fact, what strikes me immediately is how you apologize for your self. For example, you refer to your self as a \"nuisance.\" Therefore, what I suspect is that you may suffer from low self esteem.

\n

Yes, you seem to be dealing with some serious problems, even more than low self esteem. For example, it is worrisome to me that you believe that cutting yourself makes sense some of the time. I assure you that self cutting does not make sense and is not a healthy way to handle problems.

\n

You mention a number of problems that appear to come under the heading of Eating Disorders. Self cutting is one of those problems. You mention the fact that you have a history of eating disorders and that is never something \"boring\" or unimportant to discuss.

Eating disorders usually include lots of depression, the wish to be perfect, the attempt to control things in life and a good amount of anxiety.

\n
Show moreShow less

You also refer to the fact that when you travel you do some things that fall under the category of Obsessive Disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is driven by anxiety and is an attempt to reduce anxiety and take control.

\n

You also mention that, in addition to self cutting, you stand in traffic while a vehicle comes racing towards you.

\n

All of this appears to be very self destructive. All of this is in stark contradiction to your description of your self as a \"happy person.\"

\n

I want to urge you to see a psycotherapist and find out what problems you are dealing with. I would suggest a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) with an expertise in Eating Disorders.

\n

The types of things you describe appear to be serious and I urge you to enter therapy before the possibility that you cause harm to your self.

\n

Best of Luck

Subject matter expert

\"\"

Carlos Protzel Psy.D.

Integrative mental health care

View profile
\"\"
Author

Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.

Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of private practice experience.

\"\"
Medical reviewer

Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.

Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body…

\"\"

Related community

Crisis Intervention

Find information and perspectives about mental health crises and the people who provide support.

Related questions

Why don’t I care anymore? What’s wrong with me?Is it wrong that I’m seeing a married man?Is it wrong to be a masochist?
","text":"Home Answers What’s wrong with me? AnswersWhat’s wrong with me? Written byAllan Schwartz, Ph.D.Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Published June 1, 2024 Updated June 5, 2026 Reviewed September 15, 2025 SummaryQuestionAnswer Summary A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy. They want to know whether these experiences indicate a mental health problem. The response takes the concerns seriously and reassures the reader that discussing them is neither a nuisance nor unimportant. Rather than settling on a diagnosis, it identifies several areas needing assessment and urges prompt psychotherapy, suggesting a cognitive behavioral therapist with eating-disorder expertise because of the risk of harm. ? Question Reader · Identity withheld I don’t really know where to start but basically I think I have some sort of mental problem. Little things tip me over the edge like a girl who I don’t know made a rude weight related comment about me at a party and I should’ve forgotten it and moved on but instead I cut the word fat into my thigh over and over until my friend found my razors and took them away. I’ve had a history of eating related problems that I won’t bore you with and at first I thought it was just silly teenage girl stuff that a lot of people go through but it’s started feeling odd to me like it could be caused by something bigger. Also I have all these weird things that I never really realised were odd until recently, like if I go somewhere I haven’t been before I start moving stuff to make it neater and some times I find it impossible to interact with people or like if some one touches me and I don’t expect it it some times really really gets to me like I feel really uncomfortable and angry and just want to hit them. Show moreShow less Also I’ve started cutting again but it’s under circumstances that make sense but one of my friends who used to do that, she did that at all funny angles like no order or sense to where the cuts were. Like when I’ve done it there’s always been sense and a ritual to it. either the word that I’d go over and over each time I cut or neat lines in a row. What I’d always used cutting for was to keep control of everything and just so I could feel something that wasn’t sadness or confusion or stress but how would that work if there isn’t any order to it like it just doesn’t make any sense to me. The most weird thing about it all is that I’m a really happy person. Like seriously really happy but when something goes wrong I just can’t take it and do silly things like standing still in the middle of the road watching a car coming towards me waiting for it to hit me or drinking until I can’t think straight or just anything that seems like a good idea at the time. Also I know I just sound like an attention seeker but I’m not. Honestly the last thing I want is the attention. I can’t stand it. Everyone gets so worried and upset and angry and I hate doing that to people and even if they didn’t care I wouldn’t want them to now because I can’t stand the idea of people knowing I’m feeling rubbish, I suppose that’s really proud and stupid but I can’t help it. Anyways, sorry for this long rant I think I kind of got carried away there but yeah it’d put my mind at ease to find out if there’s something wrong with me and if there isn’t that’d help too. Either way just an answer would be amazing. Sorry for being a nuisance. Regards Bambi xoxo. Answer Allan Schwartz, Ph.D. Dear Bambi, First, I want to assure you that your E. Mail is not a \"rant.\" In fact, what strikes me immediately is how you apologize for your self. For example, you refer to your self as a \"nuisance.\" Therefore, what I suspect is that you may suffer from low self esteem. Yes, you seem to be dealing with some serious problems, even more than low self esteem. For example, it is worrisome to me that you believe that cutting yourself makes sense some of the time. I assure you that self cutting does not make sense and is not a healthy way to handle problems. You mention a number of problems that appear to come under the heading of Eating Disorders. Self cutting is one of those problems. You mention the fact that you have a history of eating disorders and that is never something \"boring\" or unimportant to discuss. Eating disorders usually include lots of depression, the wish to be perfect, the attempt to control things in life and a good amount of anxiety. Show moreShow less You also refer to the fact that when you travel you do some things that fall under the category of Obsessive Disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is driven by anxiety and is an attempt to reduce anxiety and take control. You also mention that, in addition to self cutting, you stand in traffic while a vehicle comes racing towards you. All of this appears to be very self destructive. All of this is in stark contradiction to your description of your self as a \"happy person.\" I want to urge you to see a psycotherapist and find out what problems you are dealing with. I would suggest a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) with an expertise in Eating Disorders. The types of things you describe appear to be serious and I urge you to enter therapy before the possibility that you cause harm to your self. Best of Luck Subject matter expert Carlos Protzel Psy.D. Integrative mental health care View profile AuthorAllan Schwartz, Ph.D. Allan Schwartz, LCSW, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 30 years of private practice experience. Medical reviewerJesse Hanson, Ph.D. Jesse Hanson, Ph.D., is a clinical and somatic psychologist with over 20 years of experience in neuropsychology, specializing in integrative, mind-body… Related community Crisis Intervention Find information and perspectives about mental health crises and the people who provide support. Related questions Why don’t I care anymore? What’s wrong with me?Is it wrong that I’m seeing a married man?Is it wrong to be a masochist?","wordCount":1071},"schema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization","name":"MentalHealth.com","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","publishingPrinciples":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing/editorial-policy"},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#website","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","name":"MentalHealth.com","inLanguage":"en-US","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"}},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Answers","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What’s wrong with me?","item":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me"}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#primaryimage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/0054eafce83b728191adba4f.webp","contentUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/0054eafce83b728191adba4f.webp","width":1000,"height":667,"encodingFormat":"image/webp","caption":"Two young adults talk together on a garden bench."},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz#person","name":"Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz","jobTitle":"LCSW, Ph.D.","image":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/3f1145a76c69b3ca318ecb8b.jpg","memberOf":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/publishing#department"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","jobTitle":"Clinical Affairs Director","image":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg","sameAs":["https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-hanson-phd-7215216/"],"memberOf":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/clinical-affairs#department"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/leadership#department"}]},{"@type":"Article","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#article","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","headline":"What’s wrong with me?","description":"A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy.","wordCount":922,"mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#webpage"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"},"articleSection":"Answers","inLanguage":"en-US","author":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz#person"}],"image":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#primaryimage"},"hasPart":[{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question"},{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer"}],"citation":[],"datePublished":"2024-06-01T00:35:14Z","dateModified":"2026-06-05T14:52:52Z"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question","name":"What’s wrong with me?","text":"I don’t really know where to start but basically I think I have some sort of mental problem. Little things tip me over the edge like a girl who I don’t know made a rude weight related comment about me at a party and I should’ve forgotten it and moved on but instead I cut the word fat into my thigh over and over until my friend found my razors and took them away. I’ve had a history of eating related problems that I won’t bore you with and at first I thought it was just silly teenage girl stuff that a lot of people go through but it’s started feeling odd to me like it could be caused by something bigger. Also I have all these weird things that I never really realised were odd until recently, like if I go somewhere I haven’t been before I start moving stuff to make it neater and some times I find it impossible to interact with people or like if some one touches me and I don’t expect it it some times really really gets to me like I feel really uncomfortable and angry and just want to hit them. Also I’ve started cutting again but it’s under circumstances that make sense but one of my friends who used to do that, she did that at all funny angles like no order or sense to where the cuts were. Like when I’ve done it there’s always been sense and a ritual to it. either the word that I’d go over and over each time I cut or neat lines in a row. What I’d always used cutting for was to keep control of everything and just so I could feel something that wasn’t sadness or confusion or stress but how would that work if there isn’t any order to it like it just doesn’t make any sense to me. The most weird thing about it all is that I’m a really happy person. Like seriously really happy but when something goes wrong I just can’t take it and do silly things like standing still in the middle of the road watching a car coming towards me waiting for it to hit me or drinking until I can’t think straight or just anything that seems like a good idea at the time. Also I know I just sound like an attention seeker but I’m not. Honestly the last thing I want is the attention. I can’t stand it. Everyone gets so worried and upset and angry and I hate doing that to people and even if they didn’t care I wouldn’t want them to now because I can’t stand the idea of people knowing I’m feeling rubbish, I suppose that’s really proud and stupid but I can’t help it. Anyways, sorry for this long rant I think I kind of got carried away there but yeah it’d put my mind at ease to find out if there’s something wrong with me and if there isn’t that’d help too. Either way just an answer would be amazing. Sorry for being a nuisance. Regards Bambi xoxo.","acceptedAnswer":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question","answerCount":1},{"@type":"Answer","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer","text":"Dear Bambi, First, I want to assure you that your E. Mail is not a \"rant.\" In fact, what strikes me immediately is how you apologize for your self. For example, you refer to your self as a \"nuisance.\" Therefore, what I suspect is that you may suffer from low self esteem. Yes, you seem to be dealing with some serious problems, even more than low self esteem. For example, it is worrisome to me that you believe that cutting yourself makes sense some of the time. I assure you that self cutting does not make sense and is not a healthy way to handle problems. You mention a number of problems that appear to come under the heading of Eating Disorders. Self cutting is one of those problems. You mention the fact that you have a history of eating disorders and that is never something \"boring\" or unimportant to discuss. Eating disorders usually include lots of depression, the wish to be perfect, the attempt to control things in life and a good amount of anxiety. You also refer to the fact that when you travel you do some things that fall under the category of Obsessive Disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is driven by anxiety and is an attempt to reduce anxiety and take control. You also mention that, in addition to self cutting, you stand in traffic while a vehicle comes racing towards you. All of this appears to be very self destructive. All of this is in stark contradiction to your description of your self as a \"happy person.\" I want to urge you to see a psycotherapist and find out what problems you are dealing with. I would suggest a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) with an expertise in Eating Disorders. The types of things you describe appear to be serious and I urge you to enter therapy before the possibility that you cause harm to your self. Best of Luck","author":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz#person"},"inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer"},{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#webpage","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","name":"What’s wrong with me?","description":"A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy.","inLanguage":"en-US","isPartOf":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers#webpage"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#breadcrumb"},"mainEntity":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#article"},"publisher":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/#organization"},"medicalAudience":{"@type":"MedicalAudience","audienceType":"General public"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#primaryimage"},"reviewedBy":{"@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person"},"citation":[],"datePublished":"2024-06-01T00:35:14Z","dateModified":"2026-06-05T14:52:52Z","lastReviewed":"2025-09-15"}]},"representations":{"html":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","json":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me.json","jsonLd":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me.ld.json"},"$schema":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/data/page.schema.json","images":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/3f1145a76c69b3ca318ecb8b.jpg","alt":"","width":40,"height":40},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/73305651cb93afbdebb69a9a.jpg","alt":"","width":40,"height":40},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/0054eafce83b728191adba4f.webp","alt":"Two young adults talk together on a garden bench.","width":1000,"height":667},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/8e1ee0ec187d4c3ff0be4ad3.jpg","alt":"","width":64,"height":64},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/e99d1a7ce4bf6109521f8289.webp","alt":"","width":1200,"height":633}],"sections":[{"id":"summary-title","title":"Summary","level":2,"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#summary-title"},{"id":"question-person","title":"Question","level":2,"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question-person"},{"id":"response-person","title":"Answer","level":2,"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#response-person"}],"references":[],"relatedReading":[],"links":[{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/","label":"Home"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers","label":"Answers"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers","label":"Answers"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz","label":"Written byAllan Schwartz, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","label":"Medically reviewed byJesse Hanson, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#summary","label":"Summary"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question","label":"Question"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer","label":"Answer"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/self-esteem-development-management","label":"self esteem"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/eating-disorders","label":"Eating Disorders"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/library/cognitive-behavioral-therapy","label":"CBT"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel","label":"Carlos Protzel Psy.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/carlos-protzel","label":"View profile"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz","label":"Allan Schwartz, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson","label":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D."},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/crisis-intervention","label":""},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/community/crisis-intervention","label":"Crisis Intervention"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/what-is-wrong-with-me-i-dont-care-anymore","label":"Why don’t I care anymore? What’s wrong with me?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/seeing-a-married-man","label":"Is it wrong that I’m seeing a married man?"},{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-it-okay-to-be-a-masochist","label":"Is it wrong to be a masochist?"}],"conversation":{"status":"complete","summary":{"question":"A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy. They want to know whether these experiences indicate a mental health problem.","answer":"The response takes the concerns seriously and reassures the reader that discussing them is neither a nuisance nor unimportant. Rather than settling on a diagnosis, it identifies several areas needing assessment and urges prompt psychotherapy, suggesting a cognitive behavioral therapist with eating-disorder expertise because of the risk of harm."},"sourceUrl":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","sourceReviewer":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson#person","name":"Jesse Hanson, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/jesse-hanson"},"question":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#question","html":"

I don’t really know where to start but basically I think I have some sort of mental problem. Little things tip me over the edge like a girl who I don’t know made a rude weight related comment about me at a party and I should’ve forgotten it and moved on but instead I cut the word fat into my thigh over and over until my friend found my razors and took them away.

\n

I’ve had a history of eating related problems that I won’t bore you with and at first I thought it was just silly teenage girl stuff that a lot of people go through but it’s started feeling odd to me like it could be caused by something bigger.

\n

Also I have all these weird things that I never really realised were odd until recently, like if I go somewhere I haven’t been before I start moving stuff to make it neater and some times I find it impossible to interact with people or like if some one touches me and I don’t expect it it some times really really gets to me like I feel really uncomfortable and angry and just want to hit them.

\n

Also I’ve started cutting again but it’s under circumstances that make sense but one of my friends who used to do that, she did that at all funny angles like no order or sense to where the cuts were.

Like when I’ve done it there’s always been sense and a ritual to it. either the word that I’d go over and over each time I cut or neat lines in a row.

\n

What I’d always used cutting for was to keep control of everything and just so I could feel something that wasn’t sadness or confusion or stress but how would that work if there isn’t any order to it like it just doesn’t make any sense to me.

\n

The most weird thing about it all is that I’m a really happy person. Like seriously really happy but when something goes wrong I just can’t take it and do silly things like standing still in the middle of the road watching a car coming towards me waiting for it to hit me or drinking until I can’t think straight or just anything that seems like a good idea at the time. Also I know I just sound like an attention seeker but I’m not.

\n

Honestly the last thing I want is the attention. I can’t stand it. Everyone gets so worried and upset and angry and I hate doing that to people and even if they didn’t care I wouldn’t want them to now because I can’t stand the idea of people knowing I’m feeling rubbish, I suppose that’s really proud and stupid but I can’t help it.

\n

Anyways, sorry for this long rant I think I kind of got carried away there but yeah it’d put my mind at ease to find out if there’s something wrong with me and if there isn’t that’d help too. Either way just an answer would be amazing. Sorry for being a nuisance. Regards Bambi xoxo.

","text":"I don’t really know where to start but basically I think I have some sort of mental problem. Little things tip me over the edge like a girl who I don’t know made a rude weight related comment about me at a party and I should’ve forgotten it and moved on but instead I cut the word fat into my thigh over and over until my friend found my razors and took them away. I’ve had a history of eating related problems that I won’t bore you with and at first I thought it was just silly teenage girl stuff that a lot of people go through but it’s started feeling odd to me like it could be caused by something bigger. Also I have all these weird things that I never really realised were odd until recently, like if I go somewhere I haven’t been before I start moving stuff to make it neater and some times I find it impossible to interact with people or like if some one touches me and I don’t expect it it some times really really gets to me like I feel really uncomfortable and angry and just want to hit them. Also I’ve started cutting again but it’s under circumstances that make sense but one of my friends who used to do that, she did that at all funny angles like no order or sense to where the cuts were. Like when I’ve done it there’s always been sense and a ritual to it. either the word that I’d go over and over each time I cut or neat lines in a row. What I’d always used cutting for was to keep control of everything and just so I could feel something that wasn’t sadness or confusion or stress but how would that work if there isn’t any order to it like it just doesn’t make any sense to me. The most weird thing about it all is that I’m a really happy person. Like seriously really happy but when something goes wrong I just can’t take it and do silly things like standing still in the middle of the road watching a car coming towards me waiting for it to hit me or drinking until I can’t think straight or just anything that seems like a good idea at the time. Also I know I just sound like an attention seeker but I’m not. Honestly the last thing I want is the attention. I can’t stand it. Everyone gets so worried and upset and angry and I hate doing that to people and even if they didn’t care I wouldn’t want them to now because I can’t stand the idea of people knowing I’m feeling rubbish, I suppose that’s really proud and stupid but I can’t help it. Anyways, sorry for this long rant I think I kind of got carried away there but yeah it’d put my mind at ease to find out if there’s something wrong with me and if there isn’t that’d help too. Either way just an answer would be amazing. Sorry for being a nuisance. Regards Bambi xoxo."},"answer":{"id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me#answer","html":"

Dear Bambi,

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First, I want to assure you that your E. Mail is not a \"rant.\" In fact, what strikes me immediately is how you apologize for your self. For example, you refer to your self as a \"nuisance.\" Therefore, what I suspect is that you may suffer from low self esteem.

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Yes, you seem to be dealing with some serious problems, even more than low self esteem. For example, it is worrisome to me that you believe that cutting yourself makes sense some of the time. I assure you that self cutting does not make sense and is not a healthy way to handle problems.

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You mention a number of problems that appear to come under the heading of Eating Disorders. Self cutting is one of those problems. You mention the fact that you have a history of eating disorders and that is never something \"boring\" or unimportant to discuss.

Eating disorders usually include lots of depression, the wish to be perfect, the attempt to control things in life and a good amount of anxiety.

\n

You also refer to the fact that when you travel you do some things that fall under the category of Obsessive Disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is driven by anxiety and is an attempt to reduce anxiety and take control.

\n

You also mention that, in addition to self cutting, you stand in traffic while a vehicle comes racing towards you.

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All of this appears to be very self destructive. All of this is in stark contradiction to your description of your self as a \"happy person.\"

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I want to urge you to see a psycotherapist and find out what problems you are dealing with. I would suggest a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) with an expertise in Eating Disorders.

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The types of things you describe appear to be serious and I urge you to enter therapy before the possibility that you cause harm to your self.

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Best of Luck

","text":"Dear Bambi, First, I want to assure you that your E. Mail is not a \"rant.\" In fact, what strikes me immediately is how you apologize for your self. For example, you refer to your self as a \"nuisance.\" Therefore, what I suspect is that you may suffer from low self esteem. Yes, you seem to be dealing with some serious problems, even more than low self esteem. For example, it is worrisome to me that you believe that cutting yourself makes sense some of the time. I assure you that self cutting does not make sense and is not a healthy way to handle problems. You mention a number of problems that appear to come under the heading of Eating Disorders. Self cutting is one of those problems. You mention the fact that you have a history of eating disorders and that is never something \"boring\" or unimportant to discuss. Eating disorders usually include lots of depression, the wish to be perfect, the attempt to control things in life and a good amount of anxiety. You also refer to the fact that when you travel you do some things that fall under the category of Obsessive Disorder. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is driven by anxiety and is an attempt to reduce anxiety and take control. You also mention that, in addition to self cutting, you stand in traffic while a vehicle comes racing towards you. All of this appears to be very self destructive. All of this is in stark contradiction to your description of your self as a \"happy person.\" I want to urge you to see a psycotherapist and find out what problems you are dealing with. I would suggest a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist (CBT) with an expertise in Eating Disorders. The types of things you describe appear to be serious and I urge you to enter therapy before the possibility that you cause harm to your self. Best of Luck","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz#person","name":"Allan Schwartz, Ph.D.","url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/people/allan-schwartz"}},"summaryScope":"Editorial overview of the original question and response; original review dates apply to the source conversation."},"presentation":{"updatedAt":"2026-10-03","template":"answer-conversation","imageGeneratedAt":"2026-10-03"},"seo":{"title":"Why do I self-harm and act impulsively even when I feel happy?","description":"A reader describes self-injury, eating-related difficulties, compulsive patterns, and dangerous impulsive behavior despite often feeling happy.","canonical":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/answers/is-there-something-wrong-with-me","robots":"index,follow","socialImage":{"url":"https://www.mentalhealth.com/assets/optimized/f7d19272dd5d30590dddbab9.png","width":1200,"height":630,"alt":"MentalHealth.com — Answers","type":"image/png","sitemapGroup":"answers"}},"subjectMatterExpert":{"name":"Carlos Protzel, Psy.D.","url":"/people/carlos-protzel","profileId":"13151","topic":"wellbeing","focus":"Integrative mental health care","selectionBasis":"Documented expertise in the existing published profile","reviewAttribution":false},"navigation":[{"label":"Summary","href":"#summary"},{"label":"Question","href":"#question"},{"label":"Answer","href":"#answer"}],"relatedCommunity":{"community":"/community/crisis-intervention","basis":"topic match"},"collections":[]}