Maladaptive Behavior and Coping Approaches:

Maladaptive behavior are dysfunctional and nonproductive coping approaches to reduce anxiety or ignore a stressor or avoid thinking, feeling, or exploring potential solutions to our problem. Avoiding situations because of unrealistic fears might initially reduce anxiety, but it doesn’t alleviate or eliminate the problem long term. Negative behaviors and coping styles can lead to a worsening of psychological and physical conditions or disorders and interferes with daily life or an ability to adjust and participate. It’s frequently an indicator of mental dysfunction. Individuals may copy others’ demeanors or actions and engage in compensatory behaviors. Autism masking may also involve developing “scripts” that work in social situations. Also see Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms, Adaptive Behavior, Stable Conflict Impairment, and Avoidance Coping Strategies