psychology
These 4 self-destructive behaviors often happen out of fear
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Anxiety can prevent us from living a healthy and happy life. Above all, these problematic habits are typical of anxious people.
It is often said that fear is a bad advisor. It’s not quite that simple, after all, in evolutionary terms, fear is actually exactly that: a guide intended to warn us of dangers. The problem is that our brains haven’t evolved appreciably since the time we had to flee from saber-toothed tigers. It can therefore happen that our brain reacts with the same alarming drama to an upcoming trip or a stressful situation at work as it does to the mortal danger of a deadly big cat. And such fears can lead us to develop unhealthy habits that make our lives even more difficult. For example this one.
4 self-destructive behaviors that often arise from fear
1. Coping strategies such as alcohol, food or social media
When we numb ourselves with habits that can become addictive, it’s often the result of trauma or fear. Such coping strategies can include excessive drinking or other drug use, emotional eating or binge eating, but also spending hours scrolling through social media or online shopping. So activities that give us a quick dopamine high. We often think of such habits as addictions and illnesses in themselves, but they can be a Be a symptom of deeper problems, especially fears.
2. Saying yes when you mean no
Fear of rejection or of being all alone can make us afraid to communicate our true opinions or our actual feelings or thoughts. We say yes to things we really don’t want to do. Or say no to something we want because we are afraid of negative consequences.
3. Procrastination
Anxious people often have a strong need for control. They plan everything very precisely and create detailed to-do lists. However, it can happen that they still do not manage to start with the implementation. They procrastinate out of fear that things won’t go the way they want. This insecurity can paralyze people with anxiety to the point that they practically do nothing. Which in turn can increase the level of suffering – a vicious circle.
4. Perfectionism
Those who are plagued by fears can also have a tendency towards perfectionism. Worried about not being good enough, we set unrealistic goals for ourselves and are very self-critical when we don’t do something perfectly. Catastrophizing can also be part of this behavior. We dramatize trifles and assume that if we make a mistake, the world will collapse.
What Can You Do Once You Know These Anxiety Habits?
Recognizing problematic behavior is an important first step. In the acute moment of fear or stress, you could try to ground yourself through your body. Concentrate on your breath, take a few steps, pay attention to what you can see, feel, smell or taste. This can help you calm down a bit so that you’re able to think a little more clearly and less fear-dominated. In many cases, however, it is a good idea to seek therapeutic help to work through what is causing your fears and to find solutions that will help you in the long term.
Sources used: instagram.com/mentalhealthceo, medicalnewstoday.com, psychologytoday.com