1940 R. B. Considine in Washington Post 16 June (Sports section) 8 Medwick points out that his gradual decline was not the result of his knowledge that the Dodgers were after him, nor of his knowledge..that even the brazen Cardinal owners could not sell him when he was going good... There probably have been a few cases of self-sabotaging, but precious few.

1957 T. Reik Myth & Guilt ii. 30 An unconscious need for punishment..finds means to express itself in acts of self-harming, self-sabotaging, and self-frustrating.

1992 Lordsburg (New Mexico) Liberal 24 July 9/6 Use enormous caution around your more possessive and needy side. You could do some self-sabotaging, if you are not careful.

2021 News Release Wire (Nexis) 31 Mar. [The authors] challenge you..to tap into your inner self in order to break through the barriers, obstacles and self-sabotaging that are standing in the way of your future and success.

1940 Endicott (N.Y.) Daily Bull. 16 Dec. 4/1 The league got rid of the ridiculous and self-sabotaging rule which permitted..Bell of the feeble Eagles to sell his dickering rights on Harmon to the Bears.

1983 N. Branden Honoring Self (1985) vi. 95 He learned to relinquish self-sabotaging thoughts and behaviors, and..saw..his self-esteem and..relationship..rise together.

1992 A. J. DuBrin Your Own Worst Enemy i. 1 Self-sabotaging people never realize their potential because problems continually arise, which they bring upon themselves.

2013 Huffington Post (Nexis) 2 June Make it okay to fail... Learn to be kind and compassionate toward your own feelings... By doing the..inner work, you can move out of your self-sabotaging behavior.