THE CLIMB

Have you ever wanted to do something so much that you were willing to risk it all? Have you been willing to ask the person on a date at the chance of rejection? Were you ever up for a promotion but were afraid to take it because you might not be good enough for the role? Have you ever talked yourself out of having the next child because you might lose your job in the future and you were worried about being able to take care of another child in the family?

Risking It

Risk Taking is defined as: “any consciously or non-consciously controlled behavior with a perceived uncertainty about its outcome, and/or about its possible benefits or costs for the physical, economic or psycho-social well-being of oneself or others.” As professional counselors, we come in contact with risk on an hourly basis. Our clients come into our offices (virtual or in-person) and take risks. They decide to examine their lives, decisions, thoughts and feelings each time they show up for themselves to become healthier or to examine their unhealthy risk taking.

Today we are going to examine risk-taking and a diagnosis that seeks out risk as one of its core symptoms.

Risk Taking & Diagnosis

There is a clinical diagnosis called Borderline Personality Disorder. In the context of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), “risk” typically refers to behaviors that can be harmful to oneself or others, often as a manifestation of the disorder’s symptoms. These risky behaviors are usually impulsive and can have significant negative consequences. Some common risky behaviors associated with BPD include:

1. Self-Harm: Engaging in self-injurious behaviors, such as cutting, burning, or hitting oneself, often as a way to cope with emotional pain or numbness.
2. Suicidal Behavior: Experiencing frequent suicidal thoughts or engaging in suicide attempts. Individuals with BPD have a higher risk of suicide compared to the general population.
3. Substance Abuse: Misusing drugs or alcohol as a way to manage intense emotions or distress.
4. Impulsive Spending: Making reckless financial decisions, such as spending large sums of money impulsively, which can lead to financial instability.
5. Promiscuity: Engaging in risky sexual behaviors, which can lead to sexually transmitted infections, unintended pregnancies, or emotional complications.
6. Binge Eating or Eating Disorders: Engaging in disordered eating behaviors as a way to exert control or cope with emotional turmoil.
7. Reckless Driving: Driving aggressively or recklessly, which can endanger oneself and others.
8. Interpersonal Turbulence: Instigating or participating in intense and unstable relationships, which can lead to emotional distress and social isolation.

These behaviors in BPD are often driven by underlying emotional dysregulation, a core feature of the disorder. Individuals with BPD may have difficulty managing their emotions, leading to impulsive actions as a way to seek immediate relief or distraction from emotional pain. Treatment for BPD often focuses on developing healthier coping mechanisms and emotional regulation skills to reduce the frequency and severity of these risky behaviors.

How to Assess Risk Tolerence?

We are not here to diagnose you through a blog with any clinical diagnosis; however, we are here to help you examine risk in your life. However, we do want to help you evaluate and train your level of risk for your life. Whether you or your loved ones has BPD or not, the following section will be helpful for you to understand and assess risk.

How to Assess Risk

Determining the appropriate level of risk for oneself involves careful consideration of personal goals, values, and circumstances. Here are five ways to examine what level of risk is right for you:

1. Assess Your Goals and Priorities:
   • Reflect on what you want to achieve in different areas of your life, such as career, finances, relationships, and personal growth. Write down these goals and ambitions so you can easily reflect on them over time.
   • Consider how taking certain risks might help you achieve these goals or how avoiding risks might protect what you value most.
2. Evaluate Your Risk Tolerance:
   • Understand your emotional response to risk. Are you comfortable with uncertainty and potential loss, or do you prefer stability and predictability?
   • Assess past experiences with risk-taking and how they made you feel. This can help gauge your natural risk tolerance.
3. Analyze Potential Outcomes:
   • Identify the possible positive and negative outcomes of taking a specific risk.
   • Consider the likelihood of each outcome and how it aligns with your goals and values.
   • Weigh the potential benefits against the potential downsides to make a more informed decision.
4. Consider Your Resources and Support System:
   • Evaluate the resources you have at your disposal, such as financial reserves, skills, knowledge, and time.
   • Consider your support system, including friends, family, mentors, and professional advisors. Having a strong support network can mitigate some risks and provide guidance.
5. Develop a Risk Management Plan:
   • Create strategies to minimize potential downsides and maximize potential benefits.
   • Set clear boundaries and limits for your risk-taking. For example, decide in advance how much money you’re willing to invest or how much time you’re willing to commit to a new venture.
   • Have contingency plans in place to address possible negative outcomes. Being prepared can reduce anxiety and increase confidence in taking calculated risks.

By collaborating with a Professional Counselor you can systematically evaluate these factors and you can make more informed decisions about the level of risk that is appropriate for you in various aspects of your life.

About Us

At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today. Keep reading if you want to learn more about How Therapy Works