These behaviors are problematic because in the long run they only serve to increase fear.
Avoidance behaviors can take three different forms: avoidance, escape or partial avoidance.
Avoidance
Trueavoidance behaviorsinvolve the complete avoidance of the fearedsocial situation.
Ekaterina Beznosova / EyeEm / Getty Images
Escape involves leaving or escaping from a feared social or performance situation.
Safety behaviors generally limit or control your experience of a situation.
Safety behaviors might include such things as
Are You Using Safety Behaviors?
Avoidance Maintains Anxiety
The problem with avoidance behaviors is that they maintain the symptoms of anxiety.
These behaviors prevent you from gathering evidence that disproves your maladaptive beliefs about social situations.
Five-Minute Solution
Are you looking for a quick way to reduce your avoidance?
Draw on the principles of the therapies mentioned above.
Gradually work your way up to longer periods of returning to the party.
I don’t have to let it bother me.
That’s just what my mind does when I am in these situations.
Find out which option is the best for you.
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