Avoidance

Create a new post for topic
Join the Conversation on
288 people
0 stories
33 posts
Explore Our Newsletters
What's New in
All
Stories
Posts
Videos
Latest
Trending
Post

How do you overcome avoidance? Mentally and actions to take?

The article related to addiction to avoidance which was pinned in the group hit close to home.

I acknowledge that I'm avoiding working on my thesis with sleep and mindless activities. I need to work on it and want to work on it. Any tips on strengthening self discipline or overcoming avoidance?

Anyone has such experience or thoughts that you could share?

One of the thing I was trying to instil in myself is "it's harder to think about doing it than to do it". So just do it.
Easier said than done though..

Trying to improve myself. Any input appreciated, thank you!
#Avoidance #Depression #GeneralizedAnxietyDisorder

Most common user reactionsMost common user reactions 9 reactions 2 comments
Post

Avoidance or Procrastination of (some) Triggering Situations

I must admit, since being back home from inpatient, a lot of the things I learned there got put on the backburner. There were definitely times I used what I learned, but not to the amount I wanted and needed to.

I did (and still do) want to take it all slow and be patient with myself. However, a few problems I had to deal with lately made me realize that I was using avoidance and procrastination like I used to.

I have had this habit of avoiding difficult situations, or situations where I or someone else could get hurt. Logically so, but that's me trying to stay in control of things that I am not logically able to control. Regardless of whether or not I am in the situation things could go bad for me or that other person. Except in some of these situations there is also potential for good experiences and greatness if I do get involved.

Pushing people or experiences away automatically doesn't give you that opportunity, and it's time to start believing that I (we) deserve happiness and it's not our responsibility to shield others from hurt that is not in our control. I (we) can't constantly put others needs and possibilities at happiness before our own. The truth is that maybe both you and those other people deserve that opportunity, but that doesn't mean you need to remove yourself from that just because you don't want any hand, no matter how miniscule, in making someone sad.

If I (we) avoid any situation where it can happen, I (we) might as well do nothing, because life is unpredictable and sucky sometimes. Sometimes we have to grit our teeth or white-knuckle through it for a moment. These situations can be very scary and based on very real and logical situations that have hurt us or traumatized us. So, it will be scary, but I am now way better equipped to deal with a situation if it does become like a traumatic experience.

I don't want to miss out on a great friendship, relationship, job, general experience, etc., just because I haven't done it before or because it scares me.

#PTSD #BPD #BorderlinePersonalityDisorder #Trauma #PostTraumaticStressDisorder #Avoidance #triggers #Procrastination

Most common user reactions 4 reactions
Post
See full photo

Productive procrastination, can you relate?

This resonated with me a lot.
A common form of productive procrastination is working on house chores like dishes or laundry. You will feel productive and even accomplished but it’s actually a way to avoid.
Can anyone else relate? Join my MH Fb community to be part of the discussion!
Facebook.com/groups/accordingtodes
#Avoidance #MentalHealth #copingskill #unhealthycopingskill #MentalHealthAwareness

4 comments
Post
See full photo

Going to work is my escape.

For me the pandemic was a major wrecking ball, especially when it came to my escape from dealing with at home issues. It was like I knew at least Monday would give me some space from what was going on and irritating me at home. Then, when I got sent home to work there, it was like my parents were telling me to go to my room and try to enjoy that cluttered mess.

I sometimes wonder if others felt this way? Compartmentalizing their life as a survival strategy and wanting to keep the gig going that way. Tackle home when there, tackling work when away. Now that we live in this new reality, where many of us must stay at home, it is becoming a bit of a hurdle to say thank god for Monday.

Fortunately I’ve learned to live with this reality now, but over two years ago, I was literally floored when my escape was stollen from me. It was like I couldn’t get my coping options, and would now need to deal with being with the unresolved issues.

Shout out to all who coped this way and wish to say TGFM.

#Anxiety #pandemic #Avoidance

1 comment
Post
See full photo

Apathy as a Protective Response

I just read a powerful post and wanted to make sure you all see it. He isn’t talking about apathy, but what he has to say about something traumatic impacting the development of habitual behaviors really resonated with me regarding apathy and isolation.

Some apathy is purely physical. If you have chronic fatigue it makes sense that it is difficult to get up and do things. If your apathy is a side-effect of medication or one of the symptoms of your illness or head injury then inertia is no surprise.

But if you struggle to get up from the couch and live your life because prolonged illness/depression/anxiety has traumatized you, then your apathy may be a protective response to it that developed into a habit that you can’t shake. That makes so much sense to me. It points to an extreme desire to escape something that is/was very unpleasant for us. Extreme avoidance.

If this sounds like it might apply to you too, I recommend that you read his whole post, linked below. The information won’t “cure” you of your apathy, but it could help you understand it and yourself better. I find that kind of understanding helpful with my journey. Thank you for your post, Mr. Antares.

Your Bad Habits Saved Your Live Once

#apathy #Depression #BipolarDepression #ChronicIllness #Fibromyalgia #ChronicFatigue #Anxiety #Agoraphobia #SocialAnxiety #Fear #Guilt #Grief #Isolation #COVID19 #Avoidance

Most common user reactions 1 reaction 1 comment
Post

First post

Hey, I joined the mighty app a few months ago. I have found it really helpful and is the only platform that I see as a safe space. Nonetheless, I am still consumed by anxiety when I think about or try to post. I have OCD and I overthink and over analyze just about everything. Everything I do has to live up to these extremely unrealistic expectations that I set for myself and only myself. So, something as simple as posting sends my mind into a frenzy and the dominos begin to fall. Anxiety ->perfectionism->obsession-> failure to meet expectations -> panic -> crippled by panic -> *crash* and I give up. Then I walk away and begin the endless cycle of avoidance, procrastination, resentment and guilt.

It’s a lose lose situation. Trying to post makes me uncomfortable and not posting makes me uncomfortable.

Even writing about how uncomfortable I am about this makes me uncomfortable hahaha.

But that’s okay. Being uncomfortable is a part of life and today I’m choosing to fight through it.

And guess what? I did it and I’m so damn proud of myself!

Sending love and a big hug to anyone who could use one.

Happy Holidays!

#Anxiety #PanicDisorder #ObsessiveCompulsiveDisorder #Unrealisticexpectations #perfectionism #Avoidance #Procrastination #resentment #Guilt #Uncomfortable #proud #Accomplishments #firstpost #progress #MentalHealth

20 comments
Post

My 13 yo son is struggling with a deep depression episode, any suggestions on how I can help him? My personal coping mechanisms aren't helping him.

#Anxiety #Depression #Avoidance

19 comments
Post
See full photo

#therapeuticrest

A friend is a full time school teacher, studying for his Phd, going through a rocky divorce and co-parenting 1 daughter. This past Saturday, he & his daughter woke, started their day, and she asked, "Dad, why can't we each just go back to bed?". He could not remember the last time he had done so!!! They retired to their rooms and slept, and slept and slept..... #therapeutic /rest/sleep is incredibly vital to our bodies and minds. This is not #Avoidance sleep. When you feel good, positive, go ahead reward yourself with "oh-so-good lazy sleep!
Have you allowed yourself to be lazy lately?

Most common user reactions 1 reaction
Post

Avoidance

I've got this horrible trait, where I feel lonely but then don't answer the door when it knocks. Ever.
To be fair I didn't know they were coming. And now I feel ignorant.
#BPD #Depression #Avoidance #Notcoping

5 comments
Post

Fear of conflict= fear of life?

As I’m slowly learning more about myself and the triggers I have due to anxiety I am beginning to realize I avoid conflict almost like it’s a disease. It’s to the point if I anticipate conflict coming I will get physically sick and begin to recite my defense and or apology until it’s all I can think about. Any minor conflict will leave me reeling for hours even if the conflict is resolved I am unable to not dwell on it. I apologize for things that aren’t my fault to appease people who aren’t even upset. How do I get past this, it’s not something that’s new I think I’ve dealt with it all my life only just now I am realizing how badly it affects me. I don’t want to fear life, I want to live happily but I am so afraid. #fearofconflict
#Avoidance

2 comments