Making changes in our lives can be difficult, but Deerfield Behavioral Health has outlined seven stages to help individuals understand the process of change and how they can work through them in order to achieve their goals. First, understand what is behavioral change.

What Is Behavioral Change?

Behavioral change is defined as a fundamental alteration in the way an individual thinks, feels, or behaves. This could manifest in many different ways, such as quitting smoking, eating healthier, or becoming more active. Whatever the goal may be, Deerfield Behavioral Health has identified seven stages that individuals go through when making behavioral changes. Behavioral change is not linear, meaning that individuals may find themselves moving back and forth between stages as they work to achieve their goals. It is important to understand that this is normal and that Deerfield Behavioral Health is here to help individuals through every stage of the process.

What Are the Causes of Behavioral Change?

There are many different causes of behavioral change. Some individuals may be motivated by personal health care, while others may be trying to set a good example for their children. It is important to identify the cause of the behavior change, as this can help individuals stay motivated throughout the process. Causes of behavioral change can be divided into two categories:

• External factors: External factors are those that come from outside of the individual and include things like a doctor’s recommendation, a change in the law, or peer pressure.

• Internal factors: Internal factors are those that come from within the individual and include things like a desire to improve one’s health, a change in values, or a life-changing event.

Seven Stages of Behavioral Change

1. Precontemplation

This is the stage where individuals are not considering change and may be unaware of the problem. They may be in denial about the seriousness of the issue or believe that they can’t do anything to change the situation. It is important to take this into account when approaching someone about making a change.

2. Contemplation

During this stage, individuals are aware of their problem behavior and want to make a change, but may not be ready to take action. They may be ambivalent about change and still be weighing the pros and cons. Contemplation is a time for soul-searching and increasing knowledge about the consequences of not changing.

3. Preparation

Preparation is when individuals start to take concrete steps towards change. They may develop a plan of action, set goals, and begin to gather resources. This is a critical stage, as it sets the foundation for making the change.

4. Action

This is the stage where individuals actually make the behavioral change. They may need to stick to their plan and make lifestyle changes in order to achieve their goals. This stage requires a lot of effort, but it is important to maintain momentum during this time.

5. Maintenance

Maintenance is the stage where individuals have to put in the work to keep up with the changes they have made. This is often when people start to backslide and revert back to their old ways. To avoid this, it is important to find support and stay motivated. Maintenance usually lasts for six months to a year.

6. Relapse

A relapse is when an individual returns to their old behavior after a period of change. This doesn’t mean that the individual has failed, but rather that they may need to adjust their plan or find more support. A relapse can be viewed as a learning experience and an opportunity to get back on track. Relapse prevention is an important part of the maintenance stage.

7. Termination

Termination is the stage where an individual has successfully made the behavioral change and no longer exhibits the problem behavior. This doesn’t mean that the individual will never struggle again, but rather that they have the knowledge and skills to cope with temptation and setbacks. Termination is a lifelong process.

The seven stages of behavioral change can be helpful in understanding the process of change. It is important to remember that these are not linear, and individuals may find themselves moving back and forth between stages. If you are considering making a change, please reach out for help.