Lesson One - Resilience and Coping
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Maladaptive Coping Skills
Sometimes when individuals are faced with difficult situations, they choose to cope in ways that are more destructive than helpful. These coping skills are commonly utilized in order to lessen or forget the intense negative feelings the person is experiencing. Below is a list of common maladaptive coping responses individuals indulge in.
Click on each collapsible row to view more information.
Trying to avoid or ignore a problem may work for a time; however, this does require mental energy and will eventually exhaust the individual. Escaping and/or avoiding a problem is not a long-term solution; the person should come to accept
the idea and learn more positive or adaptive coping skills.
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Examples of an unhealthy comfort zone would be immediately eating ice cream or chocolate when something negative happens; binge-watching television; or being on the internet for hours doing nothing in particular. This type of comfort is an
error in perception and actually leads to more distress.
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This is an extreme measure where individuals emotionally distance themselves from interpersonal relationships because they fear being hurt. Emotional numbing can be quite dangerous as it reinforces risky behaviour such as substance abuse
and social isolation.
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Above information credit: Positive Psychology's Coping Theory, https://positivepsychology.com/coping-theory/
Schema Theory also lists some maladaptive coping mechanisms, and you will see that some are the same or similar to Coping Theory.
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Aggression or hostility — The individual will retaliate against others by defying, blaming, criticizing, abusing, or attacking them.
Dominance or excessive self-assertion — The individual attempts to control others in order to accomplish their own goals.
Recognition-seeking or status-seeking — The individual grossly overcompensates through trying to impress others with high achievements, status, attention-seeking behaviours, etc.
Manipulation or exploitation — The individual attempts to meet their needs by manipulating, seducing, being dishonest, or conning others.
Passive-aggressiveness or rebellion — The individual will appear very compliant, but is “punishing” others or rebelling covertly through procrastination, pouting, tardiness, complaining, rebellion, not working, etc.
Excessive orderliness or obsessionality — The individual maintains strict order and self-control or a high level of predictability because of planning or adherence to a routine, ritual, or undue caution. This person would spend too much time finding the “best” way to do a task or avoid a certain outcome.
Dominance or excessive self-assertion — The individual attempts to control others in order to accomplish their own goals.
Recognition-seeking or status-seeking — The individual grossly overcompensates through trying to impress others with high achievements, status, attention-seeking behaviours, etc.
Manipulation or exploitation — The individual attempts to meet their needs by manipulating, seducing, being dishonest, or conning others.
Passive-aggressiveness or rebellion — The individual will appear very compliant, but is “punishing” others or rebelling covertly through procrastination, pouting, tardiness, complaining, rebellion, not working, etc.
Excessive orderliness or obsessionality — The individual maintains strict order and self-control or a high level of predictability because of planning or adherence to a routine, ritual, or undue caution. This person would spend too much time finding the “best” way to do a task or avoid a certain outcome.
Compliance or dependence — The individual relies on others, seeks affiliation, is passive and dependent, submissive, clinging, avoids conflict, and is very people-pleasing.
Social withdrawal or excessive autonomy — The individual copes by socially isolating themselves. They might demonstrate an exaggerated focus on independence and self-reliance rather than wanting to look like they need others. The individual
may engage in private activities such as binge-watching television, reading, or spending excessive amounts of time on the internet.
Compulsive stimulation seeking — The individual looks for excitement and/or distraction through compulsive habits such as shopping, gambling, risk-taking activities, physical activity, novelty, etc.
Addictive self-soothing — The individual avoids negative situations through addictions such as drugs, alcohol, overeating, etc.
Psychological withdrawal — The individual copes by psychologically disconnecting, becoming numb, denying, engaging in fantasy, or any other form of psychological escape.
Compulsive stimulation seeking — The individual looks for excitement and/or distraction through compulsive habits such as shopping, gambling, risk-taking activities, physical activity, novelty, etc.
Addictive self-soothing — The individual avoids negative situations through addictions such as drugs, alcohol, overeating, etc.
Psychological withdrawal — The individual copes by psychologically disconnecting, becoming numb, denying, engaging in fantasy, or any other form of psychological escape.