Maladaptive Behaviors: What Are They and What’s a Better Choice?

Avoiding an uncomfortable situation or disengaging from unpleasantness can occur for temporary things over which you have no control. (i.e. avoiding going to a party when you know your ex will be in attendance). But when you continuously avoid something you shouldn’t however, it becomes a maladaptive behavior.

For example, if you haveanxiety speaking in front of people, but your job requires you to participate in monthly round table discussions and presentations of information. If you make it a habit to call in sick during those certain days, you’re not confronting the problem. Over time, the consequence may be that you end up being written up by a supervisor or losing your job.

Adaptive behaviors would be seeking help for public speaking, trying exposure therapy, joining an improv group, or finding a job that requires less presenting in front of others.

Substance Use

Whether it’s alcohol, prescribed drugs, or non-prescribed drugs, substance use can be a type of avoidance behavior. It becomes a bigger problem when you use it to ease anxiety or to disengage from your feelings.

Any escape from reality may be temporary or immediate, butusing substances to escape uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety or conflict can lead to addiction down the road, along with other health complications.

Self-Harm

If there is a difficult situation that occurs with a partner, parents, or friends, that is causing deep emotional distress, we can sometimes feel desperate just to feel the smallest ounce better.

Some individuals try and cope with stressful events through self-harm, such as cutting, burning skin, pulling out eyelashes or hair, banging your head against objects, or refusing to take necessary medications. Self-harm provides temporary relief, but the longer term only creates a different set of issues such as life–threatening injuries, permanent scars, or risk of infection. Instead, explore speaking to a therapist, journaling, or taking up a new hobby.

Every few months, it’s helpful to re-evaluate how we handle difficult situations and occurrences. Challenges change and so do we! It’s imperative that we adapt in healthy ways, even if they aren’t always the easiest or most convenient.