You are not alone.
36% of U.S. adults report struggling with at least one unhealthy habit, with 24% of those reporting at least 2 unhealthy behaviors.
61% of Americans developed at least 1 unhealthy habit during the coronavirus pandemic that they would like to break.
77% of Americans report using unhealthy behaviors to cope with mental health struggles.
What is an Unhealthy Habit?
Most simply put, unhealthy habits are behaviors we engage in that are harmful to our mental, emotional, and/or physical health, and keep us from being our best selves. These habits can vary widely, see our list of examples below. Engaging in unhealthy habits can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, while also impacting mental health, leading to increased stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, these habits can disrupt daily routines, impair cognitive function, and strain relationships. Unfortunately, these habits can be incredibly difficult to break on our own, and failed attempts at behavior change can lead to a shame cycle that further damages our sense of self.
Examples of unhealthy habits:
- Tobacco use (Vaping or smoking)
- Pornography addiction
- Social Media Addiction
- Television or Video game addiction
- Device addiction
- Shopping addiction
- Poor dietary choices
- Binge eating or overeating
- Poor sleep patterns
- Lack of physical activity
- People-pleasing
How are unhealthy habits treated?
It’s important to remember that most of us engage in an unhealthy habit to meet a need, either conscious or subconscious. In order to create meaningful and lasting change, we must explore, understand and address that need. It’s also important to explore our “why” for any behavior change; we must connect with our values and gain a deep understanding of the person we hope to become. Finally, we of course focus on the “how” of behavioral change, and work with you to develop a personalized plan to break the chains of unhealthy habits and move toward the life you desire.
You are not alone.
All of the above treatment options are offered in-house at Meah Modern Psychiatry. Wondering which one(s) might be right for you? During your comprehensive initial evaluation, your Psychiatrist or Psychiatric PA will ask additional questions to determine the root cause of your depression and work with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to you. This is how we get you better, faster.