For example, a person may give a shot to avoid difficult emotions through the use ofsubstancesordissociation.
Emotional avoidance may be effective in the short-term and can provide some temporary relief.
Avoidance behaviors are effectively an effort to withdraw from situations and feelings that produce trauma-related symptoms.
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Avoiding emotional experiences is common among people who have PTSD.
Drawbacks of Emotional Avoidance
Emotions serve important psychological and physiological purposes.
Your emotions provide you with information about yourself and the things going on around you.
They communicate and motivate action.
Your emotions may fight back in an attempt to serve their functions.
Research has also suggested thatavoidance coping leads to chronic worry.
For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.
Find out which option is the best for you.
Seeking social support from trusted loved ones can also provide a safe way to express your emotions.
If your emotions feel really unclear or unpredictable, self-monitoring may be a useful strategy for you.
It can give you a sense of which situations bring out certain thoughts and feelings.
Finally, if your emotions feel too strong, try distraction instead of avoidance.
Distraction can be viewed as temporary avoidance.
This may give the emotion some time to decrease in strength, making it easier to cope with.
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What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?American Psychological Association.
Hayes SC, Lillis J.Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
