ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Self-defeating personality disorder

Hello there! Today, I'm going to talk to you about something called self-defeating personality disorder.

Self-defeating personality disorder is when someone has behaviors or thoughts that keep them from achieving their goals, even though they really want to. It's like they shoot themselves in the foot every time they try to move forward in life.

Let's say you have a goal to get good grades in school. But you keep doing things that make it harder for you to study, like playing video games all night instead of sleeping or hanging out with friends instead of doing homework. This is an example of self-defeating behavior.

People with this disorder might also have negative thoughts about themselves or the world around them, which can make it hard for them to feel good about themselves or trust others. Sometimes, they might even do things to sabotage themselves on purpose, like quitting a job right before they get promoted or ending a good relationship for no reason.

It's important to remember that having a self-defeating personality disorder doesn't make someone a bad person. It just means they need some extra help and support to break out of these patterns of behavior and thinking.

Treatment for this disorder can include therapy, support groups, and medication, depending on the situation. With the right help, people with self-defeating personality disorder can learn to overcome their negative patterns and achieve their goals.

I hope this helps you understand self-defeating personality disorder a little better. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!