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405. Anatomy of an (almost) School Shooter | Aaron Stark

The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

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Emotional regulation through self-harm and drawing blood

Self-harming behavior, such as cutting, may initially start as an emotional regulatory mechanism to calm an overwhelming sense of being out of control. Drawing blood during self-harm may be rooted in the brain's primitive defense and aggression system, where only the sight of blood can satisfy the need for emotional release. Some individuals feel that unless they draw blood, they cannot calm down, indicating a deep connection between drawing blood and emotional regulation. The act of drawing blood is described as a sacrificial gesture, offering blood up to the emotional storm, and it effectively calms the emotional turmoil, lowering the intensity of the overwhelming emotions.

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