Psychologists are re-evaluating common perceptions of behaviors like nail-biting and procrastination, suggesting these actions may serve as survival strategies rather than mere bad habits. In the new book, “Controlled Explosions in Mental Health,” clinical psychologist Dr. Charlie Heroot-Maitland provides insights into why individuals cling to behaviors that seem counterproductive.
Dr. Heroot-Maitland explores the premise that the brain prioritizes predictability and safety over comfort, often leading to self-sabotaging habits. He states, “Our brain is a survival machine. It is programmed not to optimize our happiness and well-being, but to keep us alive.” This evolutionary perspective highlights how, throughout history, the unpredictability of life could pose significant risks.
When faced with uncertainty, the brain may opt for smaller, manageable discomforts instead of confronting larger, more daunting fears. For instance, procrastination may create temporary stress but also serves to delay exposure to the anxiety of potential failure or judgment.
Understanding Self-Sabotage
According to Thea Gallagher, a psychologist and wellness programs director at NYU Langone Health, behaviors often categorized as self-sabotaging are strategies to manage discomfort. “The central argument is that behaviors we label as ‘self‐sabotaging’ could actually be attempts by the brain to control discomfort,” Gallagher explains.
In modern society, emotional threats such as rejection and anxiety can activate the same defensive mechanisms as physical dangers. Dr. Heroot-Maitland emphasizes that the brain tends to perceive threats even in safe environments, leading to behaviors intended to mitigate perceived risks.
While the book provides valuable insights, Gallagher points out that its foundation is primarily clinical rather than empirical. “That doesn’t make it wrong, but it means the claims are more interpretive than scientific,” she notes, stressing the need for further research on the mechanisms behind these behaviors.
Strategies for Change
Dr. Gallagher suggests that long-term improvement requires building a sense of safety and gradually tolerating uncertainty rather than succumbing to destructive patterns. She encourages individuals to view procrastination and similar behaviors through a lens of understanding rather than judgment.
Practical advice includes shifting from self-criticism to self-compassion. Individuals should ask themselves what function their behaviors serve, such as providing comfort or a distraction from fear. Observing behaviors without immediate attempts to change them can help reduce the automatic threat response.
Creating a sense of safety is also essential. This can involve establishing supportive relationships, predictable routines, and self-soothing practices. Furthermore, Gallagher recommends engaging in small, low-stakes exposures to feared situations to help retrain the brain’s response to uncertainty.
Dr. Heroot-Maitland concludes that individuals have agency over how they manage potentially harmful habits. “We don’t want to fight these behaviors, but nor do we want to appease them and let them carry on controlling, dictating, and sabotaging our lives,” he advises.
In summary, the insights from “Controlled Explosions in Mental Health” encourage a compassionate understanding of habits often viewed as flaws. Recognizing these behaviors as protective mechanisms can pave the way for healthier coping strategies and long-term well-being.
