The High Price of Avoidance: Why Facing Trauma is Necessary for PTSD Healing
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common condition that affects many people around the world. It can cause a great deal of pain, anxiety, and distress, and it’s not easy to overcome. Unfortunately, many people with PTSD attempt to avoid the things that trigger their symptoms, which can actually worsen their condition. In this blog post, we’ll explore the phenomenon of avoidance and how it can maintain PTSD, as well as strategies for overcoming it.
Living with PTSD can feel like a daily battle.
The memories, the flashbacks, the anxiety – it can all feel overwhelming and all-consuming. It's a constant struggle to keep the trauma at bay, push it down, and avoid anything that might trigger it. But the truth is, avoidance only maintains PTSD, making it harder to overcome in the long run.
Avoidance is a Natural Response
When things remind us of a traumatic event, it’s natural to want to avoid them. It’s our brain’s way of trying to protect us from the pain that those reminders can bring up. However, the more we avoid those reminders, the more power those memories seem to have over us.
What Really Happens When You Avoid Trauma
Imagine you're trying to hold a beach ball underwater. It takes a lot of effort to keep it submerged, right? But what happens when you let go? The ball shoots up to the surface with even more force than before. This is a metaphor for what happens when we try to avoid traumatic memories. We might feel some relief at the moment, but eventually, those memories will come back up, and the avoidance actually reinforces the power of those negative thoughts. This is especially true if we're trying to avoid something that is an important part of our lives.
The problem with avoidance as a coping skill is that it prevents us from processing the traumatic event in a healthy way. Our brain needs to process and integrate memory so that it becomes less threatening over time. Avoiding reminders of the trauma only reinforces the idea that the memory is terrifying and should be avoided at all costs.
Avoidance Interferes With Processing Trauma
Avoidance isn't an abnormal reaction; it's a natural self-preservation instinct. However, while avoidance may have helped initially, it has now become evident that it hinders the brain's ability to process trauma, which means it prolongs PTSD symptoms. Research shows that avoidance is the strongest predictor of PTSD symptoms. Thus, avoidance reinforces the memories and creates additional characteristics of the memory.
Avoidance of Trauma Can Lead to Isolation
Another risk of avoidance is that it can lead to isolation and loss of opportunity. People with PTSD may avoid situations, people, or places that remind them of the trauma, which can limit their life experiences. They may become more socially isolated, which can lead to depression and anxiety. They may miss out on opportunities for growth and connection.
Overcoming avoidance begins with recognizing that it is a natural reaction to trauma, but it is not helpful in the long term. We need to find ways to approach our memories and triggers in a safe and supportive environment.
So, if avoidance maintains the trauma's hold on your life, what should we do?
Essentially, the answer is to face the trauma. But the good news is you don't have to face it alone. As a trauma therapist, I know that every cell in your body is telling you NOT to think about what happened. But I also know that you can find the strength and courage to work through it.
Avoidance is a common, albeit counterproductive, part of PTSD. It can be challenging and immensely distressing to face your traumas, but avoidance does more harm than good in the long run. It's essential to break the cycle of avoidance and start addressing the memories directly with the help of a skilled, well-trained trauma therapist.
The good news is that we now have several trauma therapies that studies have shown to be effective in treating PTSD and its related symptoms. Trauma-focused therapies give you the tools to process traumatic memories, make meaning of them, and develop coping strategies for managing triggers and avoiding relapse. With the help of a skilled trauma therapist, you can reclaim your life from the trauma and start living again.
Overcoming PTSD is not easy, but it is possible. Avoidance may seem like the best solution in the short term, but in the long term, it only reinforces the fear and distress associated with the memories. By finding ways to approach our triggers in a safe and supportive environment, we can begin to reprocess those memories and integrate them into our lives in a healthier way. If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, there is help available.
Effective, Supportive Trauma Therapy in Missouri
Aspire Counseling offers 1-2 week trauma intensives in Lee's Summit and Columbia, MO as well as more traditional weekly individual therapy. Our team is made up of highly trained clinicians who specialize in trauma treatment using evidence-based approaches, such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and EMDR. We understand the struggles associated with PTSD and are here to help. Reach out to us today and begin your journey toward healing.
Begin Intensive Trauma Therapy at Aspire Counseling in Lee’s Summit, MO
The road to recovery from PTSD can be long and challenging, but we believe that our one-week trauma-intensive program provides significant relief to those struggling with PTSD. With evidence-based therapy, concentrated sessions, and a follow-up session a month post-treatment to ensure any issues are addressed, our approach to PTSD care delivers significant results. If you have tried traditional therapy and still find yourself struggling with PTSD symptoms, we welcome you to explore our one-week trauma-intensive program at Aspire Counseling.
1) Reach out to our team online or by calling 573-328-2288
2) Have a quick chat via phone or Zoom with one of our therapists about the program
3) Schedule your Trauma Intensive!
Other Mental Health Supports at Aspire Counseling
Aspire Counseling offers a variety of other mental health supports for people in Missouri. We offer in-person counseling both in Lee’s Summit and Columbia, MO. While we specialize in counseling for anxiety and PTSD treatment, we can help with a wide range of other concerns as well. We generally see children aged 10 through retirement age. And we have therapists with various specialties including disordered eating, depression, grief, gender-affirming care, and OCD treatment.
In addition to our Trauma Therapy Intensive, Aspire Counseling offers many other therapy services related directly to overcoming trauma. These services include the following:
