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Problems with Avoidance


13 years ago 0 6252 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Teebs

It is simple. Avoidance is before the fact. Distraction is after the fact. Distraction is done to keep the situation from escalating. Avoidance is done to keep the situation from happening in the first place even though you don't know if it would be a situation.

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Davit.
13 years ago 0 286 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I know avoidance is not the route to recovery, but I struggle sometimes when I try to figure out when distraction is okay and when it is a subtle avoidance strategy. I think usually distraction is good, especially when it involves engaging in something that you would normally be doing in that type of situation - like Sunny said noticing things on a walk, or for me taking notes during a lecture helps me focus more on the speaker and less on my anxiety.
13 years ago 0 538 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Hi Sunny,
What I would give  to have straight hair! We always want what we don't have eh?
I agree about using distraction, I do that frequently to keep myself calm and it works.
Unfortunately I still stuggle with avoidance , but am improving. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Cleo
13 years ago 0 1665 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Davit:  nothing to do with this thread - Nice pic and I noticed you have nice curly hair.  Not fair, how come the guys get that and girls like me get straight!  lol   Sunny
13 years ago 0 1665 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
I agree Davit - distraction can be a useful coping tool for the very anxious times - such as standing in line, or just the crowd of people.  You're still doing the exposure work, being out there in public, but you can use the distraction to lower the anxiety.
  Reminds me when I used to be shaky when taking those long walks.  When things seemed to overwhelm me, I'd look down at the road while walking noticing pebbles, leaves, or at the beautiful trees, the river, with some positive self talk, then I felt not so wobbly.  I still use it when needed.
13 years ago 0 6252 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0
Don't mistake distraction for avoidance even though they are close. Distraction is temporary avoidance of a disturbing situation. Avoidance is avoiding the situation before it happens without knowing if it was necessary. Avoiding something for safeties sake is not the same either. If you are avoiding something because you want to, not because you need to then you need to address it. It will not go on its own. The more you avoid things the easier it gets and the more you will justify it. Do not do this, it is hard to break. This I know from personal experience.

Davit
13 years ago 0 2606 logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo logo 0

Members,

When we avoid things due to anxiety, we miss out. As you probably already know, escaping the situation you find yourself in when you have a panic attacks can lead to problems.

• Problem 1: Some situations are more difficult to avoid than others. For instance, if you have a fear of snakes but you live in the city, it’s probably not a huge cause for concern. Chances are you’ll only be exposed to them at the zoo or pet store. However, if a person fears wide open spaces, crowds, shopping malls or riding in public transportation in can cause a much bigger problem.
• Problem 2: Escaping & avoiding situations works well to reduce anxiety in the short-term. However, in the long-term avoidance makes things worse. The problem is that escaping works too well. When you escape a situation, you receive immediate relief. The result is you become really good at escaping and avoiding. When you think about it, not dealing with problems isn’t what you want to be good at.

Are you struggling with avoidance?

Samantha, Bilingual Health Educator


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