Why We Have Compulsive Habits

We don’t do unhelpful things with the intent to harm ourselves, for the most part. We do them because the unhelpful habit is meeting some need.

• The need might be something like:
• I’m bored and want a dopamine hit
• I feel bad about myself and want to do something pleasurable to take my mind off it
• I feel awkward in social situations and need a distraction
• I’m stressed and need a coping mechanism

But if you just stop doing the compulsive habit, you have removed your coping mechanism without finding another way to meet your need.