Escaping the Past.

It works until it doesn’t.

Benefits of Avoidance

  • Temporary Relief.

    Avoiding painful thoughts and memories can provide temporary relief from emotional distress. This can be helpful in the short term, allowing individuals to cope with overwhelming emotions.

  • Preserving Mental Health.

    In some cases, avoiding painful thoughts and memories can be a protective mechanism that helps individuals preserve their mental health. This can be particularly important when individuals are not equipped to process the trauma or emotional pain.

  • Coping Mechanism.

    Avoiding painful thoughts and memories can become a coping mechanism that individuals rely on to manage their emotions. This can be especially helpful in the absence of other effective coping strategies.

What happens when avoidance quits working?

It's important to note that avoidance of painful thoughts and memories is not a sustainable long-term solution.

Over time, this avoidance can lead to a variety of negative consequences, including:

  • Increased anxiety and depression:

    • Suppressing emotions can lead to increased feelings of anxiety and depression.

  • Difficulty forming healthy relationships:

    • Avoiding painful memories can make it difficult to form healthy relationships and trust others.

  • Substance abuse:

    • Individuals may turn to substance abuse as a way to cope with their emotional pain.

  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD):

    • Unresolved trauma can lead to the development of PTSD.

Let us help you.

Avoidance works great until it doesn’t. Then, everything can begin to feel overwhelming. Let Jeri Kay help you find new and healthy ways of coping, so you can live your life free from the pressure and the stress that is undermining your will to survive and thrive. Contact Jeri Kay Kao, Counselor in Decatur, and see if her expertise can help you. Contact Jeri Kay Kao here, or call/text 940.577.1848 to schedule your free 15-minute consultation to see how therapy can help you.