Negative Coping Mechanisms

Negative coping includes the use of alcohol, drugs, overeating or eating a lot of unhealthy foods or severely restricting what you eat, sleeping too much, watching endless hours of TV, jumping into a frenzied social life to avoid facing problems, withdrawal and self-isolation, overreacting to small issues, avoiding anything that isn't "positive", catastrophizing situations, projecting or generalizing your feelings, and other risky or aggressive behaviors to cope with stress or anxiety.

 

Sometimes feelings of shame can prevent us from seeking support to change unhealthy coping habits. But feeling ashamed can actually help the cycle of negative coping to continue. It takes a lot of strength to admit when you need help.

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You are NOT alone. There is help/resources out there for you: click to see

 

It is possible to learn new, healthier coping strategies to replace more harmful ones. If you are engaging in negative coping or are worried about how you are coping, professional support can really help.