Avoidance can perpetuate anxiety symptoms in several ways. Firstly, avoidance is negatively reinforced because it leads to a temporary reduction in anxiety. When you avoid a situation, person, or thought that triggers anxiety, the immediate feeling of relief reinforces the avoidance behaviour, making it more likely you will use this coping mechanism again in the… Read More »How might avoidance perpetuate anxiety symptoms?
Anxiety arises and persists through a combination of the body’s stress response, specific brain mechanisms involving threat detection and information processing, neurochemical influences, and the impact of learned psychological patterns like worry, avoidance, and negative thinking. The brain’s neuroplasticity allows anxiety responses to become entrenched habits, while psychological factors such as fear of anxiety and non-acceptance further perpetuate the cycle.
Health anxiety presents unique challenges related to compulsive behaviours, reassurance seeking, and misinterpretation of bodily sensations. Therapeutic adaptations involve process-focused approaches such as ACT, emphasizing acceptance, values-based action, mindfulness, and experiential exposure. The therapist helps clients address avoidance and control efforts, fostering a collaborative relationship to navigate anxiety and live a more meaningful life.