What is Self-Sabotage in Psychology?

Self-sabotage is a pattern of behavior that prevents us from achieving our goals. Learn how to identify the signs of self-sabotage and take steps to overcome it.

What is Self-Sabotage in Psychology?

Self-sabotage is a pattern of behavior that can prevent us from achieving our goals, even when we have the best of intentions. It can take many forms, such as procrastination, self-medication with drugs or alcohol, comfort eating, and forms of self-harm. This behavior is often rooted in a lack of faith in oneself and can be incredibly frustrating and damaging to our self-confidence. Self-sabotage is any action or thought pattern that goes against our own goals and values.

It can affect any area of our lives, from relationships to professional goals to personal objectives like weight loss. It's important to recognize the signs of self-sabotage so that we can take steps to break the cycle and reach our goals. The first step in overcoming self-sabotage is to identify the behaviors that are holding you back. Common signs include procrastination, avoidance of difficult tasks, and negative self-talk.

Once you have identified these behaviors, you can start to work on replacing them with more positive habits. It's also important to practice self-care and build your self-confidence. This can be done through activities like journaling, meditation, and exercise. Additionally, it's important to set realistic goals and break them down into smaller steps so that you don't become overwhelmed.

Finally, it's important to seek help if you need it. Talking to a therapist or counselor can help you gain insight into why you are engaging in self-sabotaging behavior and provide strategies for overcoming it.

Colin Lear
Colin Lear

Hipster-friendly coffee lover. Professional bacon scholar. Infuriatingly humble music practitioner. Proud pop culture junkie. Proud travel fanatic.