Psychological Analysis Connects Self-Sabotaging Behaviors to Evolutionary Survival Mechanisms
Clinical psychologist Dr. Charlie Heriot-Maitland, in his publication Controlled Explosions in Mental Health, proposes that self-harming and self-sabotaging behaviors originate from evolutionary survival mechanisms.
This analysis suggests that the brain utilizes minor, controlled harms as a protective measure to avert more significant future harms.
The Brain's Survival Function
According to Dr. Heriot-Maitland, the brain primarily functions as a survival mechanism, aiming to maintain existence rather than optimize happiness or well-being.
- The brain's operational preference is for a predictable environment, seeking to avoid unexpected situations.
- Dr. Heriot-Maitland states that human vulnerability is heightened by exposure to unpredictable threats. He posits that the brain intervenes to establish controlled, predictable versions of threats.
- The brain may favor an individual initiating their own perceived downfall over the risk of an external, unexpected failure. It may also prefer familiarity with internally generated hostility to prepare for potential external hostility.
- This mechanism operates on the principle that the brain prioritizes dealing with a certain, known threat over confronting a potentially uncontrollable, unknown threat.
- The theory is based on the evolutionary development of the human brain, primarily for survival. This has resulted in a heightened sensitivity to potential dangers, both physical and emotional.
Examples of Self-Sabotaging Behaviors
Common self-sabotaging behaviors discussed include procrastination, perfectionism, and self-criticism.
- Procrastination: An individual might delay starting a project, causing a minor detriment, to avoid the perceived greater risk of failure or rejection.
- Perfectionism: This involves intense focus and attention to detail, often to prevent errors. While motivated by avoiding failure, it can lead to stress and burnout.
- Self-criticism: This behavior, whether aimed at self-improvement or self-blame, can generate a sense of agency and control. These actions involve the brain's threat-response system engaging higher cognitive functions like imagination and reasoning.
- The threat system can utilize cognitive functions, leading to imagination being filled with fear-related predictive scenarios during periods of fear.
Consequences and Interventions
Dr. Heriot-Maitland notes that self-sabotaging behaviors can become self-fulfilling prophecies.
- For example, believing one is incompetent at a task may lead to reduced effort and poorer performance.
- Avoiding individuals due to a belief they dislike oneself may prevent the formation of relationships.
Addressing these behaviors requires understanding their protective function rather than attempting immediate elimination.
Dr. Heriot-Maitland describes self-sabotaging behaviors as 'controlled explosions' that protect against underlying pain, potentially linked to difficult life experiences such as threats, trauma, or tragedies. While protective, these behaviors still cause harm.
Effective psychological interventions involve processing underlying emotional pain, which is described as a challenging process without quick solutions.
Resolving underlying harm may involve:
- Creating a sense of safety around the feared situation and feeling.
- Grieving the loss of having a core need in that situation that was unmet, denied, or dismissed.
The approach to breaking the cycle of self-sabotage, according to Dr. Heriot-Maitland, is through self-compassion rather than further self-criticism, which can reinforce neural pathways.
Utilizing neuroplasticity to develop new, less harmful habits requires intentional recognition and understanding of the behavior. Integrating compassionate motivations into this process demands time, effort, and intentionality.
Understanding the evolutionary basis of self-sabotage allows for recognition of its protective role while addressing the harm caused, without judgment.
Dr. Heriot-Maitland concludes that the aim is not to combat these behaviors, nor to allow them to control an individual's life, but to make conscious choices regarding them.