
When some people experience high anxiety, they often misinterpret those feelings to mean that they are in danger or that something terrible is happening and that it can get worse.
They may have physical symptoms like a rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, or sweating. These symptoms can be frightening, and it's natural for people to want to avoid them.
But when people start to avoiding thoughts or environments and situations that they associate with anxiety, they inadvertently reinforce their anxiety. Avoidance sends a message to the brain that the feared thought, situation or bodily sensation is dangerous, which can trigger the fight-or-flight or freeze response and make the anxiety even worse.
Over time, avoidance can lead to a cycle of anxiety, panic or OCD. People may start to avoid more and more situations, which can limit their daily activities and make it difficult for them to function normally. This can lead to feelings of isolation, depression, dread and hopelessness.
Experiential avoidance is not just limited to panic disorder or ocd. It's a common pattern of behavior that can be seen in many different types of anxiety disorders, as well as depression and other mental health conditions. The good news is that there are effective treatments available that can help people break the cycle of avoidance and anxiety.
An effective treatment, a particular type of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) called ERP Exposure and Response Prevention therapy, involves gradually exposing people to the feared situation in a safe and controlled environment.
Fear can be conquered with exposure practice, patience, consistency and determination. It isn’t instantaneous or immediate. It is slow, methodical, committed work and it is committed determination that tames the beast.