How to Manage Avoidance Symptoms

[@pam164]

This is so me! Normally to avoid painful memories and scared of failing.

[@jeannedigennaro6484]

This was so meaningful to me. I accept almost every invitation and hope to entertain more now.

[@IslaDelCaribe1234]

Thank you for this lecture! I suffer from medical PTSD, and this lecture has given me invaluable tools in how to manage my anxiety issues when I have to visit my doctors. Gracias!

[@gingergarcia2312]

This lecture is exactly what I have been needing to hear. Because of ET, I avoid social activities that I would otherwise really enjoy. Now I feel motivated to gradually step forward. Thank you!

[@debbiecamp6263]

I just found you! Thank you! I’m in this situation! I may watch this repeatedly. It may take me that long.

[@chewonthis...]

In the brief time I've been listening to your vids, I find them extremely informative, interesting and quite in step with what I've been experiencing cognitively. I appreciate that about your content. Thanks for giving back. It makes the world go round; better!

[@hollybeth1279]

THANK YOU so much for this lecture, Dr. Sullivan! I'm an avoidance poster child & should've gotten help long ago. It's so bad that when I absolutely must, I grocery shop out of town. It's a vicious cycle! (I hear you saying this as I type!🥲Now you're asking us to do something, and I shan't avoid your request!😂...ADD: Your talk is so riveting, I can't pull away!...Ha! See!? Rule 1: Procrastinate/Avoid)

[@wellnative1]

Very helpful. Thank you Staying with and moving through the feeling is a challenge.

[@suesmith5746]

I have been anxious and depressed for 65 years. Fortunately it is in only one area of my life. But I have not wanted to make a friend since 5th grade. I have several wonderful friends, but that is because they are kind outgoing people who pushed through my barriers in spite of no encouragement from me. I am fine in large groups and at work, also with people that I see two or three times a year at a meeting or an organized event. I have travelled all over the world by myself and strangers who I never expect to see again are fine. I have one relative who I think disaproves of my aloofness and I want them to like me. I try but , I do not think I can live up to their expectations. I would like for them to understand how hard some things are for me, but these things are so easy for them. They can not understand how terrifying some simple things can be and that I avoid some things out of fear rather than lazyness. I like your channel and found your series on working with people with deteriorating mental conditions to be very helpful.

[@arlenejavier9713]

we're so much alike. now at 73, my few good friends have already passed away and i can only wish some other kind people would still come into my life to brighten it again.

[@patsymahan885]

I was beat and ended up with a broken jaw. I had a sudden lung collapse and discovered I had lung cancer. All this happened in a span of 5 years. My broken jaw I had my jaw wired shut for 8 weeks.

[@patsymahan885]

I've seen this in myself since I retired and went thru a divorce with a cheating husband. I moved into an apartment and stay to myself.

[@carolcampbellanderson1366]

Dr. Sullivan, you are a gem. Thank you so much for taking the time to help us think things through in new ways.

[@benjaminbrandon142]

It’s all about helping one another. You are a great teacher ❤ good information even if we already know it’s good to be reminded that we must stay focused on not avoiding what we shouldn’t avoid 👏👏👏👏

[@-art3544]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge, wisdom and words. You are appreciated.

[@hellkat2285]

I have AvPD so there's no getting away from it. Being that it's a personality disorder it's not just a part of who I am it actually defines who I am. I use pregabalin ( anti seizure med ) which helps some what.

[@judithshaw8317]

Thank u

[@Gerby02]

Mine (avoidance) changes with time. Change is constant.

[@shermandeardeuff7122]

what if you don't want to change your avoidance of people.

[@karriescribner4425]

WoW

[@billiebillad6172]

so if you have little self worth, believe all you were taught about being unlovable, thus avoiding people - how do you get someone you trust? Many people do not have someone. if you are older your best friend died 5 years ago. if you are a single mother in the big city, your best friend had to move or was killed in a drive-by shooting. These are not uncommon examples..... I pulled them from my experience and others who have confided in me (eg as a cosmetologist I hear all this) It seems so simple, and it is perhaps doable if you are white upper middle class with minimum of childhood abuse and even adult abuse and can afford to pay for help. Don't mean to be critical, but the bottom line is if you learned from childhood not to trust anyone then in adullthood it probably is not better since you learned how to make wrong choices in spouses and friends because of your self-defeating self-talk that has been going on for so long.

[@garyfrancis6193]

We get depressed when bad things happen to us we can’t control or stop. It’s an illusion.

[@Recordesk]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@garyfrancis6193]

Think of what you avoid doing unless you don’t want to think about it.