2 types of Avoidant Coping to Catch Yourself Doing

Avoidant coping is about trying to avoid experiencing painful thoughts, feelings, memories, or sensations.

Here are two types you should try to learn to recognize in yourself.

Type 1. Avoiding situations.

Type 2. Avoiding behaviours.

Doing either of these types is likely to be limiting your happiness and success so it will help you to learn how to spot ’em.

For example, someone who is anxious about committing in relationships might

1. avoid getting into emotional relationships (thereby avoiding situations likely to trigger his/her commitment anxiety).

or

2. Once in relationships, avoid enacting behaviours that increase his/her commitment anxiety (e.g. avoid saying I love you, avoid making joint purchases)