Have you ever found yourself putting off a crucial project until the last minute, or perhaps withdrawing from a social situation fearing rejection? These acts of self-sabotage, which often feel irrational and counterproductive, might actually be your brain's ancient survival mechanism at work. According to a groundbreaking new psychological analysis, behaviours like procrastination, skin-picking, or ghosting people are not merely self-destructive but are rooted in evolutionary strategies to protect us from perceived greater harm.
The Brain's Protective Shield: Choosing Known Threats
In his new book, Controlled Explosions in Mental Health, Clinical Psychologist Dr. Charlie Heriot-Maitland presents a compelling case. He argues that the human brain is wired primarily for survival, not for optimising happiness. "Our brain is a survival machine," Dr. Heriot-Maitland explains. "It needs us to exist in a predictable world. It does not like surprises." The most vulnerable state for a human, he notes, is facing an unpredictable threat.
To avoid this, the brain intervenes by creating "controlled, predictable versions of threat." This means it would rather have us engineer our own minor downfall—like procrastinating and facing stress—than risk being blindsided by an external failure or rejection. "Our brain would rather we were the arbiter of our own downfall than risk being floored by something external," he states. This principle explains why we might binge-eat to avoid the shame of a diet failure or avoid someone preemptively to dodge potential future rejection.
Procrastination, Perfectionism, and the Hijacked Mind
Common manifestations of this survival tactic include procrastination, perfectionism, and pessimism. While they seem different, they serve a similar protective purpose.
Procrastination diverts attention from a task to shield us from the immediate anxiety of potential failure. Perfectionism, on the other hand, involves hyper-focus and excessive attention to detail in a desperate attempt to eliminate any chance of error. "The primary motivation is often to avoid failure, but this puts the perfectionist at risk of stress and burnout," the analysis highlights.
Another form is harsh self-criticism, which can create an illusion of control. Dr. Heriot-Maitland explains that these behaviours involve a "neurological hijacking" where the brain's primal threat-response system takes over higher cognitive functions like imagination and reasoning. This is why, when afraid, our minds flood with catastrophic predictive scenarios.
The Paradox and the Path Forward
However, there is a significant catch to these "controlled explosions." They frequently become self-fulfilling prophecies. If you believe you are bad at something and don't try your best, you likely will perform poorly. If you assume someone dislikes you and avoid them, you guarantee no relationship will form.
Dr. Heriot-Maitland uses the analogy of a bomb squad to describe these behaviours: "The bomb squad is not our enemies. They are protecting something big, something hurt, something wounded, or painful." Often, this links back to past difficult experiences, trauma, or tragedy. While these controlled explosions cause harm, understanding their protective intent is the first step.
"We don't want to fight these behaviours, but nor do we want to appease them and let them carry on controlling, dictating, and sabotaging our lives. There are choices we have here," Dr. Heriot-Maitland concludes. The key lies in recognising the brain's survivalist trick, acknowledging the fear it is trying to manage, and consciously choosing a different response to break the cycle of self-sabotage.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personal guidance.
