One of the frustrating things about a habit is that you can know perfectly well that you want to stop and still find yourself doing it again. That does not necessarily mean you lack willpower. Repeated behaviours can become strongly linked with situations, emotions, cues and short-term relief.
When does a habit become a problem?
A behaviour may need attention when it feels difficult to control, interferes with everyday life, damages relationships, health or finances, or becomes your main way of regulating an uncomfortable feeling.
Examples of patterns people may want to change
- Nail biting, skin picking or hair-related habits
- Comfort or emotional eating
- Procrastination and avoidance
- Compulsive checking or repetitive routines
- Problematic online, gaming or shopping behaviour
- Smoking and other cue-driven habits
How therapy can help
We can look at when the response happens, what tends to trigger it, what purpose it has been serving and what needs to change for a different response to become possible. Hypnotherapy, psychotherapy and focused approaches may each have a place depending on the behaviour and its context.