An ego-dystonic behavior is one that is seen as undesirable, foreign, or forced by the person doing it. It's the opposite of an
ego-syntonic behavior, which is seen as a natural and desired part of one's personality (of course, these are really the
poles of a
continuum). These terms are usually used to refer to
mental disorders, but can be applied to any behavior, and even to physical conditions.
Most
DSM Axis I disorders are ego-dystonic. People with
schizophrenia usually realize they're experiencing
anomalous perceptions and want them to go away. People with
panic and anxiety disorders don't like being anxious and are generally eager to
learn ways to change. Ego-dystonic disorders are usually more serious than ego-syntonic ones, but they have the advantage that people will cooperate in treating them and may even actively seek out help and information. Ego-syntonic disorders are much worse, because even when they're life-threatening ( as with
anorexia), the subject will still insist that they're just being themselves and refuse to attempt change.