“Avoidance validates fear”
It’s a no-brainer and a simple equation. Fear is based on perception. Perception informs actions (avoidance). Actions validate perception, ergo validating fear.
I’ve been an agoraphobic for 13 years. For 13 years I’ve avoided everything. Trains, buses, airplanes, boats, bridges, open spaces, heat, small rooms, tall buildings, caffeine, difficult tasks, facing people. That list is pretty much only a taste but the ones that come to mind as I type. For 13 years I’ve chosen to avoid these situations or places and – it. fucking. sucks.
I don’t need to be this way but I choose to be this way. Well, luckily with some push from family and friends and a couple of good therapists I’ve been able to identify a plan that will eventually lead to me to avoiding avoidance. This is when I’m completely ‘fixed’, not letting my phobia get the best of me and never avoiding something based on the false perception of fear. Until then I’ll be blogging about my phobic experience through www.avoidancejunkie.com (duh). When you have the choice in the face of fear, choose facing that fear – or it will grow.
Don’t make the same mistakes I’ve made – please.
AvoidanceJunkie
