Avoidance is something many adults struggle with, especially during episodes of depression.

It can also have strong links to anxiety. A person avoids what makes them anxious, then their avoidance makes them more anxious.

People often feel deeply ashamed of their avoidance, and it can cause problems in their lives, ranging from minor to major. For example, a person might avoid telling their friends they can't attend an event until the last minute, no-show appointments, or ignore early signs of a problem, such as their car making a funny noise or a new health symptom.

To understand your patterns of avoidance, it helps to recognize how avoiding one thing often cascades into other areas of your life.

Let's explore these patterns so you can feel more empowered and less ashamed about your struggles, and discover clues to practical strategies that might actually help.

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