system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 Why do people cut themselves?

I mean I understand that people are depressed, but what are people trying to achieve when they cut themselves?

Does inflicting pain on themselves make them feel better?  And if so, why are they specifically slitting their wrists?
gpt
A couple of reasons:

1. Inflicting pain *can* trigger a release of endorphins, which are basically "feel-good" chemicals in your brain. So, given that many cutters are experiencing psychological issues, this can be one way of getting endorphins that are otherwise not being produced or absorbed properly.

2. As a sign to others that they really need help and are seriously ill. A lot of people with severe depression have a very hard time talking about it, and these actions are cries for help that the person would otherwise be unable to actually make.