Habits like anxiety and worry often give us a false sense of control, serving as a defense mechanism. Self-judgment and shame, triggered by negative thoughts, lead to a feeling of control even though they are not rewarding. Shame revolves around feeling like a bad person, while guilt is about actions. The act of self-flagellation in self-judgment can ironically make one feel better by providing an illusion of being active. These behaviors stem from a lack of knowledge about alternative coping mechanisms and share a common trait of providing a sense of control in a distressed state.