Maladaptive behaviors are actions that prevent people from adapting, adjusting, or participating in different aspects of life.
You may use these strategies because they relieve some discomfort in the moment.
However, maladaptive behaviors don’t help you deal with the root cause of your stress.
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The relief these behaviors provide is only temporary and often leads to other issues or exacerbates existing ones.
It also provides ways to overcome maladaptive behaviors and use productive coping mechanisms instead.
Signs of Maladaptive Behavior
Maladaptive behavior can manifest in a wide variety of ways.
Common signs of maladaptive behavior include:
These behaviors often occur when people are inflexible and struggle with self-control.
They do this by improving mood and decreasing negative feelings.
Unfortunately, these effects are often short-lived and do not representeffective coping strategies.
Maladaptive behaviors can emerge for some different reasons, including the presence of mental health conditions.
People use maladaptive behaviors regardless of whether they have a mental health condition.
However, those with certain mental health conditions will likely exhibit maladaptive behaviors.
This may be more common in those who have less ability to communicate verbally.
Panic Disorder
People withpanic disordermay engage in avoidance to prevent triggering their symptoms.
This is especially true for people with phobias.
They are often very shy and tend to withdraw socially as a result.
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are also linked with maladaptive behaviors.
Eating-disordered behavior is often considered an attempt to cope with this psychological distress.
However, many maladaptive behaviors can be grouped into these categories based on how they commonly manifest.
Examples of Avoidance Coping
Avoidance behavior can also involve other tactics to avoid stress or discomfort.
For instance, someone who isprocrastinatingon a homework assignment may think they’re unmotivated.
In this case, you’re avoiding any potential rejection.
Maybe you fear being alone so you don’t speak up when you really want to.
You might feel the need to yell, throw things, or even hurt yourself or someone else.
Your anger might feel uncontrollable at times.
If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call 911.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Working with atherapistwho specializes in teaching adaptive coping mechanisms can help you to identify your maladaptive behaviors and triggers.
Together, you and a therapist can develop strategies for replacing your maladaptive behaviors with adaptive ones.
Therapy and medication are two scientifically validated forms of treatment that may be helpful to you.
Then you could work on replacing such behaviors with more adaptive ones.
Medications
Medication can also be prescribed and is often used in conjunction with therapy.
Commonly prescribed medications include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, and beta-blockers.
Adaptive behaviors are actions that help you change your response to make the situation more positive.
These behaviors are essential to successfully managing the demands of daily life and engaging with others.
Social Skills
These might include conversational skills and how to make new friends.
Developing social skills will make it easier for you tocope with social interactionsdespite feeling anxiety.
This can be especially helpful for those with social anxiety.
Personal Responsibility
Taking personal responsibility means being accountable for yourself and your quality of life.
Taking personal responsibility also means engaging in self-care.
Learning New Skills
We may be afraid of doing something because we’re unfamiliar with it.
But you’re able to become more comfortable with something by exposing yourself to it.
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