Self-destructive streak, real or not?

[mjg]

Just wondering, is there such a thing as a self-destructive streak?

Not as a sympton of mild depression etc., but as a stand-alone, verified condition (for want of a better word).

If there is, what would be behind it?

Any opinions appreciated.

[Valmont]

I don't know what the literature says but I always presumed that a self-destructive streak was indicative of some other latent composition of issues or disorders. It's hard to imagine someone being self-destructive because of a specific "self destructive disorder" especially when there are so many variables impinging on our behaviour at any given time.

Then again, some people just want to watch the world burn (The Joker, 2008).