What is the Role of Avoidance in Trauma and PTSD?
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is more common than you may realize. It is estimated that around 12 million U.S. adults suffer from PTSD in a given year. PTSD occurs after a traumatic or stressful event and can cause major difficulties for the individuals impacted by this condition. As a result, those suffering from PTSD may attempt to avoid anything related to the traumatic event as a means of coping.
What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic stress disorder is a type of trauma- and stressor-related disorder that occurs after an individual is exposed to an event that is extremely distressing, stressful, or horrific. PTSD can be caused by a range of events including but not limited to personal loss, violent assaults, serious health conditions, abuse, neglect, bullying, and harassment.
When an individual has PTSD, they may relive a traumatic experience over and over. This could be through nightmares, flashbacks, intrusive thoughts, and memories. Reliving traumatic events can have a serious impact on an individual’s mental health. They may struggle to concentrate, control their emotions, and even perform daily activities. They may blame themselves and develop shame or guilt. They may become easily startled, hypervigilant, or disconnected from those around them or themselves. They may struggle to obtain restful sleep and opportunities of relief. These struggles may further compromise an individual’s ability to function well academically, professionally, socially, and in many other areas.
The symptoms of PTSD can range from mild to severe and can be very persistent and hard to overcome without intervention. As PTSD can be very disturbing for those affected, people with this condition may try to do everything they can to avoid resurfacing feelings.
What is the Role of Avoidance in PTSD?
Avoidance is one of the core symptoms of PTSD. Avoidance occurs when an individual actively tries to minimize contact with anything that could cause anxiety, fear, or distress. An individual with PTSD may attempt to avoid uncomfortable emotions, feelings, and thoughts related to a traumatic event. Or they may attempt to avoid places that remind them of the event, people they associate with the event, or anything that can resurface unsettling memories of the event.
Symptoms of Avoidance in PTSD
If someone is engaging in avoidance, they may not want to talk about thoughts and feelings connected to a traumatic experience, as talking about these may further increase discomfort.
In addition, they may avoid activities, memories, and people related to the trauma and may block memories. They may not remember certain details or may have trouble remembering certain events.
Why Avoidance Makes PTSD Worse
The reason avoidance can have a negative effect on PTSD is that it reinforces feelings of fear and anxiety. We often learn through repetition, as this is what is comfortable for us.
If individuals regularly engage in avoidance, they have fewer opportunities to develop effective coping skills for managing distressing feelings, thoughts, and memories. As a result, symptoms of PTSD may persist. When struggling with PTSD, regularly avoiding triggers and stressors may worsen the impact of trauma and an individual’s ability to function.
PTSD and avoidance are deeply related to one another. Avoidance is actually a key symptom of PTSD as those who suffer may try to avoid anything that serves as a reminder of the traumatic event they faced.
While avoidance may seem to work in the short-term, avoidance can cause long-term struggles. If you, or someone you know, are experiencing PTSD, then it is important that you speak to a licensed therapist, counselor, medication management provider, or another mental health professional for advice and treatment.
Reach out to us to learn more about trauma treatment at Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC.
