Do you find yourself shying away from the things that might make you anxious? If so, you're not alone. But chances are, you're starting to see the flaws in this way of coping. Avoidance is common, but ultimately can make anxiety worse.

Avoidance: What it is and Why we do it

Let’s be clear about one thing:

Avoidance is natural instinct when facing potentially scary or anxiety-inducing situations. 

And avoiding is so, so common when we are struggling with anxiety. We stop going places where we expect to feel anxious, avoid situations that might make us uncomfortable, say "no" to events that might trigger uneasiness. 

Avoidance is an attempt at coping and for many of us, it’s been a way of keeping anxiety at least partially at bay so that we can actually get through our days.

There is no shame in that.

With that being said, avoidance usually doesn’t work the best and it usually doesn’t work forever. 

Anxiety still surfaces. 

And the more it surfaces, the more we avoid. 

The Avoidance Trap

The more anxious we feel, the more we pull away. We stop being able to go to certain places, drive on certain roads, complete certain tasks, until slowly and slowly (or sometimes, very rapidly), our life becomes more and more limited.

When we avoid the things that make us anxious, life becomes very small. 

We are trying to make our lives easier but we in turn stop being able to live our lives.

If avoidance has been your coping mechanism, it’s understandable that at a certain point, you might feel stuck.

It works until it doesn’t.

But there is another way. It IS possible to handle anxiety-inducing situations differently, to cope differently, and to actually live your life again the way that you want to live it.

If you’re ready to stop letting anxiety call all the shots, a good first step might be to connect with an anxiety professional near you. Working with a trained professional means you don’t have to know where to start. You will be guided and supported, in a way that is safe and manageable for you, and tailored to your specific needs. Support is out there and with it, change comes.

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*This post is general and for informational purposes only and is not intended to advise or treat any condition.