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?
Brenna, Bilingual Health Educator
