Unmasking avoidance: Root causes of avoiding situations (2024)

FAQs

What is the root of avoidance? ›

Lack of coping skills: The fear of not being able to cope with situations that events may unfold makes us want to stay back home and practice avoidance. Anxiety and overwhelm: Some situations may overwhelm us and act as triggers to our anxiety issues. Hence, we avoid those situations.

Situational avoidance refers to staying away from people, places, things, or activities that feel activating to you. This is a formal symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), like a veteran who avoids the outdoors during a holiday firework display, or a mass shooting survivor who avoids crowded public spaces.

By evading challenges, we signal to our brains that the only way of handling difficult situations is to flee rather than confront them. This bolsters our avoidance instincts. The more we sidestep, the more we perpetuate an unending cycle of discomfort that gradually infiltrates every aspect of our lives.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can cause you to avoid certain thoughts, people, places, and more. However, with treatment, you can learn to cope with these triggers.

What is avoidant personality disorder? Avoidant personality disorder (AVPD) is a personality disorder. People with AVPD often have a long history of feeling inadequate (not enough) and are very sensitive to what others think about them. Someone with an avoidant personality disorder will appear shy and timid.

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However, it is also important to acknowledge that avoiding a situation, feelings, a person, etc. is also a form of control.

While there are many reasons you might learn it's easier to avoid discomfort, avoidance coping can contribute to anxiety, depression, and harmful behaviors in the long term.

What is high functioning avoidant personality disorder? ›

High functioning AVPD is associated with feeling and acting negatively or discouraged by many situations. Those who have AVPD purposely block themselves off from friends and family. They may have difficulty interacting and connecting to others, coming off as shy or even rude.

Avoidance is a core symptom of PTSD, with at least one avoidance symptom required for a diagnosis. People often try to cope with the trauma by avoiding distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the event.

Avoidance refers to any action designed to prevent the occurrence of an uncomfortable emotion such as fear, sadness, or shame.

Experiencing extreme anxiety (nervousness) and fear in social settings and relationships. This may lead them to avoid activities or jobs that involve being with others. Being shy and self-conscious in social situations due to a fear of doing something wrong or feeling embarrassed.

Avoidant personality disorder is a long-term and often debilitating condition. It typically has its roots in a person's formative years. Early childhood environment, infantile temperament, and a genetic predisposition can all play a role in developing the disorder.

Avoidance is typically considered a maladaptive behavioral response to excessive fear and anxiety, leading to the maintenance of anxiety disorders. Exposure is a core element of cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders.

Avoidance and approach processing

The amygdala has been a primary focus of animal and human research related to fear processing, conditioning, and extinction.