Adaptive and Maladaptive Coping Strategies

Coping refers to the process of managing and dealing with challenging or stressful life events. Individuals engage in coping strategies as a way of managing and overcoming struggles and difficulties in life.

Coping strategies can be either adaptive or maladaptive. Adaptive coping strategies assist us in healthily managing stress but maladaptive coping strategies can worsen stress.

There are various types of coping strategies. Some common examples of adaptive coping include:

• Problem-focused coping

  Problem-focused coping involves taking action to address the problem that is causing stress. For example, if you are anxious or stressed out about a difficult exam, you may study extra or seek help from a friend.

• Emotion-focused coping

  This strategy involves controlling one’s emotional response to stress. For example, if you are nervous about a job interview, you might try relaxation techniques or talk to a friend about how you are feeling.

Examples of maladaptive coping strategies include:

• Avoidance

  This involves attempting to ignore or avoid thinking about the problem. For example, if you are anxious about a deadline, you might procrastinate or try to divert your attention to other tasks.

• Substance use

  This entails the use of alcohol or drugs to cope with stress. Substance use may provide a short-term remedy, but it can lead to long-term issues.

If you need mental health services or services related to cognitive testing, we can help.

Favor Healthcare Services LLC is a provider of psychiatric services in Humble, Texas, committed to making mental health services accessible to the community.

We offer services that cater to a wide range of needs, including ADHD and depression.

Contact us about our other services, such as our ADHD treatment in Texas.