8. Self-Destructive Behaviors – A Perilous Coping Strategy
For those wrestling with BPD, self-destructive behaviors often serve as a warped coping mechanism. Be it self-harm, substance abuse, or reckless driving, these actions offer a fleeting sense of relief from the emotional chaos, albeit at a great cost.
The irony lies in the fact that these dangerous behaviors offer a momentary sense of control. For that brief period, you might feel like you’re mastering the emotional turbulence that consistently plagues you. However, this sense of control is illusory and only leads to further instability.
Engaging in self-destructive behaviors has a rippling effect on your social life. Friends and family who witness these actions are often left bewildered, frustrated, and hurt, which only serves to further isolate you, exacerbating the emotional struggles you’re trying to escape from. (8)
