As humans, it’s perfectly natural to do things that aren’t in our best interest from time to time. Most people occasionally criticize themselves or reach for a quick fix when life gets tough. But when these actions happen frequently and start working against you, they become what’s known as self-destructive behavior.
Self-destructive behaviors cover a wide range of actions. Some are more obvious, while others can become so ingrained in daily life that they’re easy to miss.
On this page, we cover:
Self-destructive behavior is any action that causes harm to the person engaging in it, either physically, emotionally, or both.[1] These behaviors aren’t unique to a specific mental health condition and instead can appear across a variety of different diagnoses.[2]
A person might engage in these patterns as a way of coping with something difficult, offering a brief escape from difficult emotions or a distraction when things feel like too much.[2] The trouble is that the relief rarely lasts long, and the behavior can leave the person worse off than before.[2]
This type of behavior may also be called self-sabotaging behavior or self-defeating behavior, both of which capture the idea of a person, knowingly or not, working against their own interests.
The signs of self-destructive behavior can be easy to spot in yourself or others, but some can also hide internally and masquerade as “everyday habits”. Below we look at the two main types:
These are behaviors that can be hard to recognize, and they can often present as ordinary habits. Examples may include:[2]
These behaviors are more obvious and are the ones that have the most immediate risk to a person’s health or safety.[2]
If you recognize self-harming behaviors in yourself or someone else, you should take them seriously. Contact 988 for more advice on what to do next, or, if someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services at 911.
There’s usually no single cause of risky or harmful actions, and it could arise from a combination of different conditions and experiences. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Why am I self-destructive?”, understanding where it comes from is the first step toward addressing it.
Research has shown that childhood trauma contributes to the development of these behaviors later on in life.[3] The more adverse experiences someone goes through as a child, like abuse or neglect, the higher their risk of later struggles like depression.[4] These early experiences can influence how a person copes with stress and pain for years to come.
It can be a way of managing emotions that feel overwhelming or too painful to deal with. Research has found a strong association between difficulty regulating emotions and nonsuicidal self-injury.[5]
One hypothesis, known as the self-medication hypothesis, explores how a person turns to a substance like alcohol or drugs to change how they feel.[6] It can work in the moment, but does nothing to resolve the underlying cause, and the distress soon returns.
How a person feels about themselves plays a big role, too. For example, feelings of worthlessness or shame can make someone feel they don’t deserve better, which can be a pathway to both overt and subtle self-destructive behaviors.
These types of feelings are linked with mental health difficulties, and low self-esteem specifically has been identified as a risk factor for serious self-directed harm. For example, a meta-analysis presented in 2022 found an association between lower self-esteem and suicidal thoughts and attempts.[7]
AMFM is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
Self-destructive behavior and mental health are closely linked, and in many cases, the behavior is one of the ways a mental health condition can make itself known. Self-destructive behavior can occur alongside several mental health conditions, including the following:
Borderline personality disorder (BPD) has one of the closest links to destructive behaviors, as people with the disorder often experience emotions with great intensity and may have difficulty regulating them. Self-harm is also a common feature, with research suggesting that between 50% and 80% of people with BPD engage in self-harm at some point.[8]
Depression can affect behavior as well as mood. Symptoms can include hopelessness, worthlessness, increased impulsivity, substance use, high-risk activities, and thoughts of death or suicide. However, depression affects everyone differently, and experiencing depression does not necessarily mean someone will engage in self-destructive behavior.[9]
Research on veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) found that 74.4% of participants reported changes in behavior, like recklessness and self-destructive behaviors, with 61.3% engaging in multiple types.[10]
The reason for these high numbers can vary from person to person, but some of the main reasons include:[11]
Because there are so many different variables, it makes treating the underlying trauma central to recovery.
Nonsuicidal self-injury can also occur alongside eating disorders. One study reported prevalence estimates ranging from 17% among patients with restrictive anorexia nervosa to 43% among those with bulimia nervosa.[12]
Because disordered eating is a way of coping with feelings, it means that the root cause needs to be addressed in treatment.
The most effective treatment for harmful coping behavior is through therapy, because it works to reach the root cause rather than just the behavior on the surface. Since the behavior is usually tied to an underlying condition, addressing the root cause is what helps settle the behavior.
For that reason, the right kind of therapy depends on what a person is dealing with rather than applying a blanket approach for everyone. Two of the most common and well-researched forms of therapy are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT):
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps a person notice the thoughts and beliefs that influence their behavior and then learn to challenge and repurpose them.
By changing the thinking that leads to self-destructive choices, a person can start to respond to difficult moments in a more effective way. Research shows CBT can reduce self-harming behavior and ease depressive symptoms that can also be a part of it.[13]
Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) was originally developed to help people who self-harm and have difficulty regulating intense emotions. The therapy teaches practical skills for managing distress and handling strong feelings in difficult moments.
The evidence behind it is strong, with research showing it can reduce self-harming behavior, which is why it’s a mainstay for these types of difficulties.[14]
Aside from CBT and DBT, practices like self-compassion have their place, but for more serious behaviors, they work best alongside professional care, rather than in place of it.
It isn’t always easy to know when a difficult habit has become something that needs help, but a good indicator is the effect it’s having on you. For example, if self-destructive behavior is affecting your relationships or your ability to get through the day in any way, this is enough reason to seek help.
A mental health professional can help you identify self-destructive patterns, understand what triggers them, and develop safer ways of responding.
Some situations call for support straight away, and if you’re engaging in self-harming behaviors or having thoughts of suicide, this needs to be treated as urgent. You can call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or call 911 in emergencies.
A Mission For Michael (AMFM) provides treatment for adults experiencing various conditions. Trauma support is a phone call away – call 866-478-4383 to learn about our current treatment options.
See our residences in SoCal’s Orange & San Diego Counties.
Take a look at our Metro area homes in Washington County.
View our facilities in Fairfax County, VA within the DC metro area.
View our facilities in Kitsap County, WA 20 miles west of Seattle.
If anything you’ve read today has resonated with you, that feeling is worth listening to. It can take a while to connect a behavior to something deeper, so noticing it now is a real step in itself. The next step is to contact a mental health treatment provider who can guide you on what to do next.
At AMFM Mental Health Treatment (A Mission for Michael), we provide effective, evidence-based mental health treatment across the U.S., at both residential and outpatient levels of care.
Rather than treating the surface behavior on its own, our approach aims to address both mental illness and self-destructive behaviors together. That includes the underlying conditions that self-destructive behavior is closely tied to, such as:
The care we provide is built around you and your needs. Our team of expert clinicians believes in treatment persistence so you can achieve lasting, life-changing outcomes.
AMFM Mental Health Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with many major providers. To check your insurance coverage for mental health care, simply complete our confidential online verification form.
Call us at 866-478-4383 if you would like to start the admissions process or learn more about how we can support your mental well-being. Our compassionate team is available 24/7 to answer your questions and provide guidance with no obligation.
"*" indicates required fields
100% Confidential
No Commitment
Instant Results
At AMFM, we strive to provide the most up-to-date and accurate medical information based on current best practices, evolving information, and our team’s approach to care. Our aim is that our readers can make informed decisions about their healthcare.
Our reviewers are credentialed medical providers specializing and practicing behavioral healthcare. We follow strict guidelines when fact-checking information and only use credible sources when citing statistics and medical information. Look for the medically reviewed badge on our articles for the most up-to-date and accurate information.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate or out of date, please let us know at info@amfmhealthcare.com
