How do you relax? Do you really relax? Those with mental illness often "relax" in damaging ways, whether it be by smoking, drinking, or getting high. But we "relax" in other ways, too. People with eating disorders find comfort when they don't eat, or eat too much, or purge. Cutters might cut. We feel stress and attempt to cope with it using negative behaviors--our own MI's. So by this, do our MI's make us happy? I doubt it. It causes more anxiety and problems, I believe. For me, I think that it promotes self-discovery. I learn more about myself and the adaptive ways I use, and over time, will give me the capability to change.