Do you ever find yourself engaging in behaviors that seem to undermine your success, despite your own desires, dreams or values? If so, you may be experiencing self-sabotage. Founded in 1979, the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) defines self-sabotage as a form of anxiety that can lead to chronic struggles with food, alcohol, drugs, gambling, and self-harm. Self-sabotage can be driven by fear, doubt and other forms of anxiety, and it can become especially problematic when it becomes a habit. The quickest way to achieve relief from self-sabotage is to avoid the situation that stimulates your anxiety. However, this can also strip you of your motivation and make you feel anxious.
People are not always aware that they are sabotaging themselves, and connecting a behavior with counterproductive consequences does not guarantee that a person will disconnect from it. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome almost any form of self-sabotage. Behavioral therapies can help disrupt entrenched patterns of thinking and action, while strengthening deliberation and self-regulation. Motivational therapies can also help reconnect people to their goals and values. If you are struggling with self-sabotage, it is important to remember that you are not alone. With the right support and guidance, you can break the cycle of anxiety-driven behaviors and start living the life you want.
