Cutters: an outlet, sense of control, don't care, what ?

It is very common and I think many of the kids think it is cool for whatever reason. Growing up, I knew of one girl that did this. Now I see it all the time. In my daughter's case, I believe it was an attempt to manipulate me in order to get her way. She had been getting very bad grades in school. She was spending much time on the computer,telling me her homework was done in school when it wasn't etc. So I changed up the rules. No computer until I see the work completed even if it was done in school...bring it home! Then I followed thru. She got extremely upset, thru a tantrum and when she still didn't get her way, she cut her arms up. Then she came and showed me. We talked and she said it was a way to "release her pain". I told her that we needed to get her into therapy at once and she still didn't get the computer. Her entire attitude changed. She said she'd never done it before, never would again on and on. I check her arms daily. It has been months and she has stopped. Im think alot of the kids may be doing it for reasons like this....attention??

an obvious cry for help, but using the wrong channel. if you notice it, you confront it and introduce as wide a support base as possible. i just hate the idea that if i dont do something about it...anything, it'll continue and i'll be partly to blame. so many sheep, so few shepherds