HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Self-neglect
❌ 🛁
Neglect
"I don't deserve to be taken care of."
Lack of motivation to care for oneself
Depression, apathy
Practice self-care and recognize your worthiness.
Loss of motivation, feeling overwhelmed
Therapy, addressing underlying mental health conditions, support with daily tasks
Seek professional help, develop a self-care routine, connect with supportive people
Depression, mental health disorders
Sleep disturbances
Insomnia
"I can't sleep."
Difficulty falling or staying asleep
Anxiety, stress, depression
Address underlying causes and develop healthy sleep habits.
Stressful events, worries
Sleep hygiene practices, relaxation techniques, stress management, therapy, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice good sleep hygiene, manage stress and anxiety
Anxiety, depression, stress
Concentration problems
Distraction
"I can't focus."
Difficulty focusing, racing thoughts, forgetfulness
Anxiety, depression, ADHD
Address underlying causes and develop coping skills for improving focus and attention.
Distractions, worries
Therapy, mindfulness techniques, organizational skills training, medication (if needed for ADHD)
Seek professional help, practice mindfulness, manage stress and anxiety
ADHD, anxiety, depression
Irritability and anger
Anger
"I'm always angry."
Feeling easily annoyed, angered, or resentful
Stress, frustration
Manage stress and learn healthy ways to express your anger.
Frustration, feeling overwhelmed
Anger management techniques, therapy, stress management, communication skills training
Seek professional help, practice anger management techniques, communicate assertively
Stress, anxiety, depression
Lack of motivation
Apathy
"I don't care."
Lack of interest or desire to do things
Depression, apathy
Address underlying causes and find ways to rediscover joy and purpose.
Feeling overwhelmed, feeling hopeless
Therapy, setting small goals, breaking down tasks, addressing underlying conditions
Seek professional help, set small goals, find activities you enjoy
Depression, anxiety, stress
Binge eating
Displacement
"I deserve to eat whatever I want."
Using food to cope with negative emotions
Emotional eating
Practice mindful eating, find healthier ways to manage emotions, seek professional help
Negative emotions, social situations, boredom
Therapy (CBT), mindful eating, addressing emotional triggers, developing healthy coping skills, regular meals and snacks
Address underlying emotional issues, develop healthier coping mechanisms, seek professional help
Emotional dysregulation, stress, boredom, history of dieting
Lashing out at others
Projection
"Everyone is against me."
Blaming others for one's own feelings or mistakes
Anger
Express your feelings in a healthy way, communicate your needs, seek professional help
Feeling threatened, feeling frustrated, feeling unheard
Anger management techniques, therapy, communication skills training, stress management, identifying triggers, taking time-outs when necessary
Identify the true source of your anger, practice anger management techniques, seek professional help
Anger issues, stress, frustration, low emotional intelligence
Overspending
Denial
"I can afford it, so why not?"
Spending money to fill an emotional void
Impulsivity
Identify the underlying reasons for your spending, challenge negative thoughts, seek professional help
Stress, boredom, sales and promotions, social pressure
Therapy (CBT), budgeting, identifying triggers, finding alternative activities, delaying gratification, tracking spending, seeking support from financial advisors or support groups
Create a budget, practice mindful spending, seek professional help
Impulsivity, materialism, low self-esteem, emotional spending
Isolating oneself from others
Withdrawal
"I'm a burden to others."
Feeling overwhelmed by emotions
Sadness
Reach out to friends and family, practice self-care, challenge negative thoughts.
Feeling overwhelmed, feeling rejected, fear of intimacy
Therapy (CBT), gradually increasing social interaction, building social skills, support groups, engaging in activities that promote connection, reaching out to loved ones
Spend time with loved ones, engage in hobbies, seek professional help
Depression, social anxiety, avoidant personality disorder, trauma
Procrastinating
Denial
"I'm not good enough."
Avoiding tasks that make one feel anxious or overwhelmed
Fear
Challenge negative thoughts, focus on strengths, practice self-compassion.
Tasks that seem overwhelming, deadlines, lack of interest
Time management techniques (Pomodoro Technique), breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting realistic goals, addressing underlying anxiety, rewarding yourself for completing tasks
Break tasks into smaller, manageable steps, set realistic goals, reward yourself for progress
Fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of motivation, poor time management
Constantly seeking approval
Overcompensation
"I'm not good enough."
Feeling inadequate or unworthy of love
Insecurity
Focus on personal growth, develop healthy relationships, seek professional help if needed.
Social interactions, feeling insecure, fear of rejection
Therapy, building self-esteem, developing assertiveness skills, challenging need for validation, setting boundaries, practicing self-compassion
Build self-esteem, practice self-acceptance, challenge negative thoughts
Low self-esteem, dependency, need for validation
Difficulty making decisions
Avoidance
"I'll never make the right decision."
Fear of making the wrong choice
Indecisiveness
Challenge negative thoughts, focus on the present, trust your intuition.
Important decisions, feeling pressured, uncertainty
Therapy (CBT), developing decision-making skills, setting realistic expectations, breaking down decisions into smaller steps, seeking support from trusted sources, practicing self-compassion
Practice mindfulness, gather information, seek advice from trusted individuals
Anxiety, perfectionism, fear of making the wrong choice, lack of confidence
Avoiding social situations
Withdrawal
"I'm not good enough."
Fear of being judged or rejected
Anxiety, fear
Practice self-compassion and self-acceptance.
Fear of judgment, fear of rejection, feeling overwhelmed
Therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, social skills training, support groups, starting with small social interactions, challenging negative thoughts
Spend time with loved ones, challenge negative thoughts
Social anxiety, avoidant personality disorder, depression, trauma
Isolating oneself
Suppression
"I'm a burden to others."
Feeling overwhelmed or hurt
Loneliness, sadness
Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
Feeling overwhelmed, feeling rejected, fear of intimacy
Therapy (CBT), gradually increasing social interaction, building social skills, support groups, engaging in activities that promote connection, reaching out to loved ones
Spend time in nature, connect with others
Depression, social anxiety, avoidant personality disorder, trauma
Gossiping
Displacement
"I need to be in the know to feel important."
Feeling powerless or insignificant
Boredom, insecurity
Practice active listening and avoid spreading rumors.
Social situations, feeling left out, wanting to fit in
Therapy, developing empathy, focusing on positive self-talk, finding constructive ways to connect with others, practicing mindfulness, considering the impact of words
Engage in meaningful conversations, cultivate deep relationships
Insecurity, low self-esteem, need for attention, boredom
Substance abuse
Escape
"I can't cope without it."
Feeling overwhelmed or hopeless
Depression, anxiety
Develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Stress, boredom, social situations, loneliness
Rehabilitation programs, therapy (individual and/or group), support groups (AA, NA), medication (if needed), identifying triggers, developing healthy coping mechanisms, building a strong support system
Seek professional help, join a support group
Genetic predisposition, trauma, mental health disorders, peer pressure, escapism
Self-harm
Acting Out
"I deserve to be punished."
Feeling overwhelmed, numb, or self-punishment
Depression, anxiety, self-loathing
Practice self-care and learn healthy coping skills.
Stressful events, relationship problems
Therapy (DBT, CBT), stress management techniques, coping skills training, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help immediately, reach out to a crisis hotline
Trauma, emotional dysregulation, difficulty coping with stress, low self-esteem
Hair-pulling (Trichotillomania)
Compulsion
"I can't stop myself."
Stress, tension, lack of control
Anxiety, boredom
Manage anxiety and find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Boredom, stress, anxiety
Therapy (CBT, HRT), habit reversal training, stress management, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice stress-reduction techniques, find healthy outlets
Genetic predisposition, anxiety, stress, perfectionism
Nail-biting
Compulsion
"I can't control myself."
Stress, tension, lack of control
Anxiety, boredom
Manage anxiety and find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Stressful situations, feeling anxious
Habit reversal training, stress management, keeping nails trimmed, finding alternative behaviors
Practice stress-reduction techniques, find healthy outlets, keep nails trimmed
Anxiety, stress, boredom, habit
Gambling addiction
Risk-taking
"I need to win to feel good about myself."
Need for excitement, escape from reality
Thrill-seeking, desperation
Find healthy ways to experience excitement and manage your finances responsibly.
Financial problems, stress, boredom
Therapy (CBT, support groups), self-exclusion from gambling venues, financial planning
Seek professional help, join a support group, find healthy hobbies
Genetic predisposition, impulsivity, reward-seeking behavior
Tech addiction
Escape
"I need to be online to stay connected."
Need for connection, fear of missing out (FOMO)
Loneliness, boredom
Connect with others in person and find joy in offline activities.
Stress, boredom, loneliness
Setting limits on screen time, digital detox, mindfulness techniques, finding alternative activities
Set limits on screen time, engage in real-life interactions, find hobbies
Dopamine release, escape from reality
Lying
Deception
"I need to lie to get what I want."
Avoiding consequences, protecting oneself or others
Fear, guilt
Build trust by being truthful and accountable.
Fear of punishment, desire to impress
Therapy, building self-esteem, developing honesty and communication skills
Be honest, take responsibility for your actions
Low self-esteem, fear of consequences
Stealing
Entitlement
"I deserve to have it."
Lack of empathy, disregard for others' property
Greed, entitlement
Respect others' belongings and take responsibility for your actions.
Opportunity, financial stress
Therapy (CBT), addressing underlying needs, developing coping skills, restitution
Seek professional help, practice empathy, make amends
Impulse control issues, need for excitement
Manipulation
Exploitation
"I need to control others to feel safe."
Need for power, lack of trust
Insecurity, control
Build trust and respect others' autonomy.
Feeling powerless, wanting to get their way
Therapy, developing assertiveness skills, setting boundaries, improving communication
Seek professional help, practice empathy, develop healthy communication skills
Need for control, insecurity
Self-sabotage
Self-destruction
"I don't deserve to be happy."
Deep-rooted insecurities, negative self-beliefs
Fear of success, low self-worth
Build self-esteem and pursue your goals with confidence.
Opportunities for success, positive changes
Therapy, identifying self-sabotaging patterns, building self-esteem, challenging negative thoughts
Seek professional help, practice self-compassion, challenge negative thoughts
Low self-esteem, fear of success
Dependency
Codependency
"I can't function without others."
Fear of abandonment, low self-esteem
Insecurity, lack of self-reliance
Develop independence and self-sufficiency.
Loss of a loved one, relationship problems
Therapy, building self-esteem, developing independence, setting boundaries
Seek professional help, practice self-care, build healthy relationships
Insecurity, low self-esteem
Procrastination
Avoidance
"I'll never get it done."
Fear of failure, lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed
Fear, anxiety, overwhelm
Manage your time effectively and overcome your fear of failure.
Tasks that seem overwhelming, deadlines
Time management techniques, breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting realistic goals, addressing underlying anxiety
Break tasks into smaller steps, set deadlines, prioritize, reward yourself for progress
Fear of failure, perfectionism
Overeating/Binge eating
Numbing
"I don't deserve to feel good."
Coping with difficult emotions, lack of control
Emotional distress, emptiness
Develop a healthy relationship with food and address underlying emotional issues.
Negative emotions, social situations
Therapy (CBT), mindful eating, addressing emotional triggers, developing coping skills
Seek professional help, practice mindful eating, address emotional triggers
Emotional dysregulation, stress
Isolation
Withdrawal
"I'm better off alone."
Fear of rejection, feeling overwhelmed by social interaction
Depression, social anxiety
Build healthy relationships and challenge negative thoughts about social interaction.
Social situations, feeling rejected
Therapy (CBT), gradually increasing social interaction, building social skills, support groups
Seek professional help, gradually expose yourself to social situations, join support groups
Social anxiety, depression
Anger issues
Aggression
"I need to get angry to be heard."
Feeling unheard, powerless, or threatened
Frustration, injustice
Express your anger in healthy ways and learn conflict resolution skills.
Feeling threatened, feeling frustrated
Anger management techniques, therapy, communication skills training, stress management
Seek professional help, practice anger management techniques, communicate assertively
Trauma, stress, frustration
Impulsiveness
Risk-taking
"I need to do what I want, when I want."
Need for immediate gratification, lack of consideration
Lack of self-control, thrill-seeking
Develop self-control and consider the impact of your actions on yourself and others.
Temptations, strong emotions
Therapy (CBT), mindfulness techniques, developing coping skills, medication (if needed for ADHD)
Seek professional help, practice mindfulness, consider consequences before acting
ADHD, lack of self-control
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Hypervigilance
"The world is a dangerous place."
Re-experiencing traumatic events, feeling unsafe
Trauma, fear
Process your trauma and develop coping skills for managing triggers.
Reminders of the trauma
Therapy (trauma-focused), EMDR, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice relaxation techniques, join a support group
Traumatic experiences
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
Overthinking
"Something bad is going to happen."
Unrealistic fears, constant worry
Excessive worry, nervousness
Manage your worry and focus on the present moment.
Uncertainty, stressful events
Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, mindfulness, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice relaxation techniques, challenge anxious thoughts
Genetic predisposition, life stressors
Bipolar disorder
Impulsivity
"I'm either on top of the world or at the bottom."
Fluctuations in mood, energy, and activity levels
Mood swings, mania, depression
Manage your mood swings and develop coping skills for maintaining stability.
Stress, lack of sleep
Medication, therapy (CBT, family-focused therapy), lifestyle changes
Seek professional help, medication, therapy, support groups
Genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances
Borderline personality disorder (BPD)
Unstable relationships
"I'm afraid of being alone."
Intense emotions, impulsive behavior, unstable relationships
Fear of abandonment, instability
Manage your emotions and develop healthy relationship skills.
Fear of abandonment, relationship problems
Therapy (DBT), medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
Genetic predisposition, trauma
Avoidant personality disorder (APD)
Avoidance
"I'm not good enough for relationships."
Fear of rejection, social isolation
Social inhibition, inadequacy
Challenge negative thoughts and gradually expose yourself to social situations.
Social situations, fear of rejection
Therapy (CBT, psychodynamic therapy), social skills training
Seek professional help, therapy, social skills training
Genetic predisposition, negative social experiences
Obsessive thoughts
Obsession
"I can't stop thinking about this."
Intrusive, unwanted thoughts that cause distress
Anxiety, fear
Manage anxiety and develop healthy coping mechanisms for dealing with unwanted thoughts.
Triggers related to the obsession
Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, thought-stopping techniques
Seek professional help, practice mindfulness, challenge negative thoughts
Anxiety, OCD, trauma
Phobias
Avoidance
"I'm terrified of this."
Irrational fear of a specific object or situation
Fear, anxiety
Face your fears gradually and challenge irrational thoughts.
Exposure to the feared object or situation
Therapy (exposure therapy), systematic desensitization
Seek professional help, practice exposure therapy, challenge negative thoughts
Learned associations, traumatic experiences
Dissociation
Detachment
"I feel disconnected from myself."
Disconnecting from thoughts, feelings, or memories
Trauma, stress
Process your trauma and develop coping skills for managing dissociation.
Triggers related to the trauma
Therapy (trauma-focused), grounding techniques, mindfulness
Seek professional help, practice grounding techniques, connect with your body and emotions
Trauma, stress, anxiety
Nightmares
Re-experiencing
"I can't escape this."
Disturbing dreams related to trauma or stress
Trauma, anxiety
Address underlying anxiety or trauma and develop healthy sleep habits.
Triggers related to the trauma
Therapy (trauma-focused), stress management, imagery rehearsal therapy
Seek professional help, practice relaxation techniques before bed, keep a dream journal
PTSD, trauma, stress
Avoidance behavior
Avoidance
"I can't handle this."
Avoiding situations or triggers that cause distress
Fear, anxiety
Face your fears and develop healthy coping skills for managing anxiety.
Triggers related to the fear or trauma
Therapy (exposure therapy), gradually facing feared situations
Seek professional help, gradually face your fears, challenge avoidant behaviors
Anxiety, phobias, PTSD
Risk-taking behavior
Impulsivity
"I need to take risks to feel alive."
Need for excitement, lack of consideration
Thrill-seeking, impulsivity
Find healthy ways to experience excitement and manage impulsive behaviors.
Boredom, peer pressure
Therapy, identifying triggers, developing coping skills, addressing underlying issues
Seek professional help, practice mindfulness, consider consequences before acting
Impulsivity, substance abuse
Appetite changes
Disregulation
"I'm not hungry." or "I can't stop eating."
Changes in eating habits, loss of appetite or overeating
Depression, anxiety
Address underlying emotional issues and develop a healthy relationship with food.
Stressful events, emotional distress
Therapy, addressing underlying mental health conditions, nutritional counseling
Seek professional help, develop a healthy relationship with food, address emotional triggers
Depression, anxiety, stress
Memory problems
Dissociation
"I can't remember."
Difficulty remembering things, gaps in memory
Trauma, stress, depression
Address underlying causes and develop coping skills for improving memory.
Stressful events, emotional distress
Therapy, stress management techniques, memory exercises, addressing underlying conditions
Seek professional help, practice mindfulness, manage stress and anxiety
Stress, anxiety, depression
Low self-esteem
Negative self-talk
"I'm not good enough."
Feeling inadequate, unworthy, or not good enough
Insecurity, self-doubt
Build self-esteem and practice self-acceptance.
Social situations, failures
Therapy (CBT), positive self-talk, self-compassion, challenging negative thoughts
Seek professional help, practice self-compassion, challenge negative thoughts
Negative self-talk, past experiences
Avoiding social situations
Isolation
"I'm not good enough."
Fear of being judged or rejected
Anxiety
Face your fears gradually, build confidence, surround yourself with supportive people
Fear of judgment, fear of rejection
Therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, social skills training, support groups
Challenge negative thoughts, practice relaxation techniques, seek professional help
Social anxiety, depression
Procrastination
Rationalization
"It's too hard, I'll never be able to do it."
Delaying tasks to avoid potential criticism or disappointment
Fear of failure
Challenge negative thoughts, focus on your strengths, seek professional help
Tasks that seem overwhelming, deadlines, lack of interest
Time management techniques (Pomodoro Technique), breaking tasks into smaller steps, setting realistic goals, addressing underlying anxiety, rewarding yourself for completing tasks
Break down tasks into smaller steps, set realistic goals, reward yourself for progress
Fear of failure, perfectionism, lack of motivation, poor time management
Withdrawing from loved ones
Withdrawal
"I'm a burden to everyone."
Feeling disconnected from others, losing interest in activities
Depression
Reach out to loved ones, seek professional help, challenge negative thoughts
Feeling overwhelmed, feeling rejected, fear of intimacy
Therapy, communication skills training, addressing underlying conditions, gradually increasing social interaction, expressing needs and concerns to loved ones
Engage in social activities, practice self-care, seek professional help
Depression, anxiety, social anxiety, avoidance behavior
Lying
Repression
"I'm not a good person."
Hiding the truth to protect oneself or others
Deceit
Challenge negative thoughts, practice self-compassion, seek professional help
Fear of punishment, desire to impress, uncomfortable situations
Therapy, building self-esteem, developing honesty and communication skills, practicing assertiveness, addressing underlying reasons for lying
Be honest with yourself and others, practice self-compassion, seek professional help
Low self-esteem, fear of consequences, need for approval, manipulation
Binge eating or drinking
Avoidance
"I can't control my emotions."
Trying to cope with stress or difficult emotions
Anxiety
Address underlying issues causing anxiety, develop healthy coping mechanisms, seek professional help if needed.
Negative emotions, social situations, celebrations
Therapy (CBT), support groups (if applicable), mindful eating/drinking, addressing emotional triggers, developing healthy coping skills, limiting access, seeking medical detoxification if needed
Identify triggers, practice mindful eating, seek professional help if needed
Emotional dysregulation, stress, social pressure, boredom, escapism, history of dieting
Lashing out at others
Projection
"Everyone is against me."
Feeling threatened or insecure
Anger
Practice empathy, communicate feelings assertively, seek professional help if needed.
Feeling threatened, feeling frustrated, feeling unheard
Anger management techniques, therapy, communication skills training, stress management, identifying triggers, taking time-outs when necessary
Identify triggers, practice anger management techniques, seek professional help if needed
Anger issues, stress, frustration, low emotional intelligence
Gossiping or spreading rumors
Displacement
"Everyone else has it better than me."
Feeling threatened or insecure
Jealousy
Focus on personal growth, develop healthy relationships, challenge negative thoughts.
Social situations, feeling left out, wanting to fit in
Therapy, developing empathy, focusing on positive self-talk, finding constructive ways to connect with others, practicing mindfulness, considering the impact of words
Address underlying issues causing jealousy, practice empathy, seek professional help if needed
Insecurity, low self-esteem, need for attention, boredom
Feeling constantly tired or fatigued
Withdrawal
"I'm a failure."
Feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges
Depression
Challenge negative thoughts, practice self-care, develop a support system.
Stressful events, worries, poor sleep habits
Therapy, addressing underlying mental health conditions, stress management techniques, improving sleep hygiene, regular exercise, healthy diet, medical check-up to rule out physical causes
Engage in regular exercise, practice mindfulness, seek professional help if needed
Depression, anxiety, stress, medical conditions, sleep disturbances
Overeating or undereating
Denial
"I'm not worthy of taking care of myself."
Numbness, lack of control
Sadness, depression
Nourish your body with healthy foods and engage in regular physical activity.
Negative emotions, social situations, body dissatisfaction
Therapy (CBT), mindful eating, addressing emotional triggers, developing healthy coping skills, regular meals and snacks, nutritional counseling, addressing body image concerns
Seek professional help, join a support group, practice mindful eating
Emotional dysregulation, stress, body image issues, perfectionism, history of dieting
Overachieving
Overcompensation
"I'm only valuable if I'm successful."
Fear of failure, low self-esteem
Anxiety, perfectionism
Focus on the process rather than the outcome.
High expectations, pressure to succeed, fear of failure
Therapy (CBT), setting realistic expectations, self-compassion, prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, celebrating achievements without needing external validation
Set realistic goals, practice self-compassion
Perfectionism, need for validation, low self-esteem, anxiety
Complaining
Passive-aggression
"The world is unfair."
Feeling undervalued or mistreated
Resentment, bitterness
Express your needs and concerns directly.
Feeling dissatisfied, feeling frustrated, wanting to vent
Therapy, developing positive self-talk, practicing gratitude, focusing on solutions, expressing needs assertively, finding constructive outlets for frustration
Practice gratitude, focus on solutions
Negativity bias, learned behavior, attention-seeking, passive-aggressiveness
People-pleasing
Sublimation
"I need to be liked by everyone."
Fear of rejection or abandonment
Codependency, low self-esteem
Prioritize your own needs and well-being.
Social interactions, feeling insecure, wanting to be liked
Therapy, setting boundaries, developing assertiveness skills, prioritizing own needs, practicing self-care, building self-esteem, challenging negative thoughts about oneself
Set boundaries, practice self-care
Low self-esteem, need for approval, fear of rejection, codependency
Hoarding
Control
"I need to keep everything to feel safe."
Fear of loss, insecurity
Anxiety, fear
Let go of unnecessary possessions and focus on experiences.
Loss of a loved one, stressful life changes
Therapy (CBT), decluttering strategies, support groups
Seek professional help, declutter gradually, practice mindfulness
Attachment issues, anxiety, difficulty with decision-making
Skin-picking (Dermatillomania)
Compulsion
"I can't stop myself."
Stress, tension, lack of control
Anxiety, boredom
Manage anxiety and find healthy ways to cope with stress.
Stress, anxiety, boredom
Therapy (CBT, HRT), habit reversal training, stress management, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice stress-reduction techniques, find healthy outlets
Genetic predisposition, anxiety, stress, perfectionism
Excessive shopping
Compensation
"I'm not good enough unless I have new things."
Low self-esteem, need for validation
Anxiety, emptiness
Practice self-acceptance and find fulfillment in non-material things.
Stress, boredom, negative emotions
Therapy (CBT), budgeting, identifying triggers, finding alternative activities
Set a budget, practice mindful spending, focus on experiences
Depression, anxiety, low self-esteem
Workaholism
Overcompensation
"I'm only valuable if I'm productive."
Fear of failure, need for validation
Anxiety, perfectionism
Balance work and life, and recognize your intrinsic worth.
Job insecurity, pressure to succeed
Therapy, setting boundaries, time management techniques, stress management, prioritizing self-care
Set boundaries, prioritize self-care, delegate tasks
Anxiety, perfectionism, need for control
Social media addiction
Validation
"I'm not good enough compared to others."
Need for external validation, comparison to others
Low self-esteem, insecurity
Build your self-esteem and find validation from within.
Loneliness, boredom, stress
Limiting social media use, deleting apps, engaging in real-life interactions, finding alternative hobbies
Limit social media use, practice self-compassion, focus on real-life relationships
Dopamine release, social comparison, need for validation
Cheating
Betrayal
"I'm not worthy of love."
Fear of intimacy, low self-esteem
Insecurity, lack of commitment
Build self-esteem and develop healthy relationships.
Feeling neglected, dissatisfaction in a relationship
Therapy (individual and/or couples), addressing relationship issues, building self-esteem
Seek professional help, work on communication and trust issues
Insecurity, low self-esteem, relationship problems
Bullying
Aggression
"I need to put others down to feel better."
Need for control, low self-esteem
Insecurity, powerlessness
Build self-esteem and treat others with respect.
Feeling insecure, wanting to fit in
Therapy, social skills training, empathy development, conflict resolution skills
Seek professional help, practice empathy, develop conflict resolution skills
Low self-esteem, need for power and control
Gaslighting
Deception
"I need to make others doubt themselves."
Need for power, undermining others' reality
Insecurity, control
Be truthful and respectful in your relationships.
Feeling threatened, wanting to maintain power
Therapy, recognizing and challenging manipulative tactics, setting boundaries, seeking support
Seek professional help, practice empathy, prioritize healthy relationships
Need for control, narcissistic traits
Perfectionism
Overcompensation
"I need to be perfect to be worthy."
Need for control, unrealistic expectations
Fear of failure, high standards
Embrace imperfection and focus on your progress.
High expectations, pressure to succeed
Therapy (CBT), setting realistic expectations, self-compassion, challenging perfectionistic thoughts
Set realistic goals, practice self-compassion, celebrate progress
Fear of failure, need for control
Jealousy
Possessiveness
"I'm not good enough for them."
Low self-esteem, comparison to others
Insecurity, fear of loss
Build self-esteem and trust in your relationships.
Perceived threat to a relationship
Therapy, addressing insecurity, building trust, communication skills
Practice self-compassion, communicate openly with your partner, build trust
Insecurity, low self-esteem
Substance abuse
Self-medication
"I need drugs/alcohol to feel better."
Coping with difficult emotions, self-medicating
Depression, anxiety, escapism
Address the root cause of your emotional pain and learn healthy coping skills.
Stress, boredom, social situations
Rehabilitation programs, therapy (individual and/or group), support groups, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, join a support group, find healthy coping mechanisms
Genetic predisposition, trauma, mental health disorders
Undereating/Restrictive eating
Restriction
"I'm not good enough unless I'm thin."
Fear of weight gain, distorted body image
Anxiety, perfectionism, control
Focus on health and well-being, not just weight.
Social pressure, body dissatisfaction
Therapy, nutritional counseling, addressing body image issues, developing healthy eating habits
Seek professional help, develop a healthy relationship with food, practice self-acceptance
Body image issues, perfectionism
Codependency
People-pleasing
"I need others to be happy."
Fear of abandonment, need for validation
Insecurity, low self-esteem
Develop healthy relationships and build self-esteem.
Relationships with people who are needy
Therapy, setting boundaries, developing self-esteem, focusing on own needs
Seek professional help, set boundaries, practice self-care
Low self-esteem, need to please others
Passive-aggressiveness
Indirect aggression
"I shouldn't have to say what I want."
Avoiding direct conflict, expressing anger indirectly
Resentment, frustration
Communicate your needs and feelings openly and honestly.
Feeling resentful, feeling unheard
Therapy, assertiveness training, communication skills training, expressing needs directly
Seek professional help, practice assertive communication, express your needs directly
Difficulty expressing anger directly
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Compulsion
"I need to do things perfectly to prevent harm."
Intrusive thoughts, need for control
Anxiety, fear of contamination
Manage anxiety and challenge obsessive thoughts.
Stressful events, uncertainty
Therapy (CBT, ERP), medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice exposure and response prevention therapy
Genetic predisposition, brain chemistry imbalances
Social anxiety
Avoidance
"I'm not good enough."
Feeling inadequate, fear of negative evaluation
Fear of judgment, rejection
Build self-esteem and challenge negative thoughts about social interaction.
Social situations, public speaking
Therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, social skills training, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice social skills, challenge negative thoughts
Genetic predisposition, negative social experiences
Major depressive disorder (MDD)
Withdrawal
"I'm worthless."
Loss of interest, fatigue, feelings of worthlessness
Sadness, hopelessness, anhedonia
Manage your depression and develop coping skills for managing your emotions.
Loss of a loved one, relationship problems
Therapy (CBT, interpersonal therapy), medication (if needed), lifestyle changes
Seek professional help, medication, therapy, support groups
Genetic predisposition, life stressors
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Distraction
"I can't focus."
Difficulty focusing, restlessness, impulsiveness
Inattention, hyperactivity, impulsivity
Manage your symptoms and develop coping skills for improving focus and attention.
Boredom, distractions
Medication, therapy (CBT), behavioral interventions, educational support
Seek professional help, medication, therapy, support groups
Genetic predisposition, brain differences
Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD)
Entitlement
"I'm special and deserve special treatment."
Inflated self-image, need for admiration
Grandiosity, lack of empathy
Develop empathy and healthy self-esteem.
Challenges to their ego, criticism
Therapy (schema therapy, psychodynamic therapy), often difficult to treat
Seek professional help, therapy
Genetic predisposition, childhood experiences
Dependent personality disorder (DPD)
Codependency
"I can't make decisions on my own."
Need to be taken care of, fear of being alone
Submissiveness, clinginess
Develop independence and self-confidence.
Fear of abandonment, need for reassurance
Therapy (CBT, psychodynamic therapy), assertiveness training
Seek professional help, therapy, assertiveness training
Genetic predisposition, childhood experiences
Compulsive behaviors
Compulsion
"I need to do this to feel safe."
Repetitive actions performed to reduce anxiety
Anxiety, need for control
Manage anxiety and challenge compulsive urges.
Obsessive thoughts, anxiety
Therapy (CBT, ERP), exposure and response prevention
Seek professional help, practice exposure and response prevention therapy
Anxiety, OCD
Panic attacks
Overwhelm
"I'm going to die."
Sudden onset of intense fear and physical symptoms
Intense fear, anxiety
Manage anxiety and learn to cope with panic attacks.
Triggers related to anxiety
Therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, medication (if needed)
Seek professional help, practice relaxation techniques, learn coping skills
Anxiety, panic disorder
Flashbacks
Re-experiencing
"It's happening again."
Vivid, intrusive memories of a traumatic event
Trauma
Process your trauma and develop coping skills for managing flashbacks.
Triggers related to the trauma
Therapy (trauma-focused), EMDR, grounding techniques
Seek professional help, practice grounding techniques, connect with supportive people
PTSD, trauma
Hyperarousal
Hypervigilance
"I need to be always alert."
Feeling constantly on edge, easily startled
Trauma, anxiety
Manage anxiety and develop coping skills for calming your nervous system.
Triggers related to the trauma
Therapy (trauma-focused), relaxation techniques, stress management
Seek professional help, practice relaxation techniques, learn to identify and manage triggers
PTSD, anxiety
Emotional numbing
Detachment
"I don't feel anything."
Inability to feel emotions, feeling disconnected
Trauma, depression
Process your trauma or depression and reconnect with your emotions.
Triggers related to the trauma
Therapy (trauma-focused), emotional regulation skills, mindfulness
Seek professional help, connect with your body and emotions, engage in activities that bring you joy
PTSD, depression, trauma