How to Reduce Self-Destructive Behavior

"Appreciating some of how self-destructive behaviors originate and perpetuate, we turn to how to mitigate the damage.

Talk It Out

You are not alone if you are plagued by urges to engage in self-destructive behavior. Mustering the courage to admit the urge to self-harm can facilitate recovery through sharing with trusted friends and family and within professional support groups and therapy.

Behavior Change

Treatment through changing behavior can involve identifying mental and physical triggers that remind you of the traumatic event and establishing new, productive methods of dealing with emotional distress. Such methods can include talking, exercise, art, or other types of distraction.

Cognitive Challenges

Cognitively challenging activities such as creative writing or problem-solving tasks can be an effective method of changing our mental script since we are incapable of thinking about two things at the same time–especially when one of them is mentally taxing or difficult.

Anyone who suffers from traumatic thoughts and self-destructive behavioral urges knows a list of “remedies” is only part of the solution. Professional help is often enormously useful and is, fortunately, widely available."

Read the complete article available at Psychology Today!

Reflection:

Are you aware of your self-destructive behaviors?

#Self-destruction #Self-sabotage #Coping