High Risk Behaviors are often impulsive and damaging, but can be seen as a cry for help when emotions become intolerable. High-risk behaviors include physical self-harm, impulsive, and reckless behaviors. Physical self-harm can be cutting, pulling out hair, burning, scratching, or any other bodily harm. Sometimes, without seeking help, an individual may begin to think suicide is the only option.
In addition, there are other chronic behavior patterns harmful to individuals and family members such as gambling, binge eating, shoplifting, aggression, reckless driving/speeding, engaging in high conflict, and other unhealthy decisions. DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) is currently the most effective form of treatment for high-risk behaviors.