The foundation causes of self-destructive habits can fluctuate from individual to individual, based on licensed drug and alcohol counselor Candace Kotkin-De Carvalho LSW, LCADC, CCS, CCTP. A few of the commonest causes embody a scarcity of optimistic coping expertise, unresolved points from childhood or adolescence, and poor psychological well being.

Lorz describes self-destructive behaviors as being the product of both misguided makes an attempt at self-protection or moments of dissociation. They’re typically formed by beliefs you might have about your self, what you deserve, and the way you might have taken within the messages of the world and people round you, she says, making them primarily a response to non-public circumstances which have had a traumatic impression on you. They could have even labored (otherwise you believed that they’ve labored) previously to guard you from feeling pressured, overwhelmed, damage, exhausted, scared, or in peril, she provides, however finally these coping mechanisms at the moment are inflicting extra hurt than safety. 

Osibodu-Onyali provides that when individuals have skilled a number of damaging occasions and even traumas, it adjustments the way in which they view themselves, others, and the world. “They start to anticipate unhealthy issues to occur, and when good issues come their means, they introduce self-destructive behaviors in order that issues return to the damaging sample they’re used to. It is not that they take pleasure in negativity; it is simply that it is acquainted,” she says.

Moreover, self-destructive behaviors will be signs of many psychological well being points, based on Manly. For instance, an individual who’s affected by melancholy could have interaction in self-protective behaviors, like not going to work because of a scarcity of power or to keep away from stress, which might be finally self-destructive. Those that undergo from substance use issues could resort to self-destructive behaviors, together with stealing to keep up the dependancy or driving whereas beneath the affect, with little or no capacity to genuinely admire the long-term impression; the cumulative results of those behaviors are sometimes tragic.  

“A wide range of psychological well being issues akin to BPD typically depart the sufferer caught in a cycle of self-destructive behaviors that depart the person feeling indignant, remoted, and misunderstood,” she provides.