Understanding Avoidance
If you're avoiding stressful or socially difficult situations through distractions, you're practicing what behavior?
What is avoidance?
This behavior shows up at turning to books, watching TV, playing video games or pleasant daydreaming for a break.
What is Escapism/Distraction
Coping skills are something everyone is born knowing how to do
False
Coping skills are learned throughout our lives
No one wants to drown in their feelings, learn to ride them.
What is "Surf" emotions
Joke- What kind of tree fits in your hand?
A "PALM" tree!
•Avoidance behaviors are often driven by this type of emotion.
•What is fear or anxiety?
This type of thinking may ignore facts and give in to delusion, without plan or action.
What is wishful thinking
Having good mental health is all about having no mental health problems.
False
Good mental health is about feeling good about ourselves, doing things that we enjoy, and having resilience.
Give 2 examples of stress relieving practices
Meditating
Yoga
Going on a walk
What is the biggest animal in the world?
Blue Whale
Commonly avoided experiences include what?
What are thoughts that evoke emotions, have disturbing content, trigger anxiety.
As a way to avoid uncomfortable feelings, some people do what as a way to turn down social opportunities.
What is self-isolation/ Opt out.
Healthy coping skills are adaptive
True
Healthy coping skills facilitate positive outcomes by helping us better adapt to changes and stressors.
One way we can start to overcome social anxiety is by what?
Attending gatherings
Slowly venture out
Go somewhere familiar with friends
"Come hungry leave happy"
IHOP
•Avoiding situations may give short-term relief but increase this in the long term.
•What is anxiety or stress?
When you dont like what you're feeling you may externalize it onto others.
What is projection
You need to have a lot of free time before you can start using coping skills regularly.
False
The best coping skills are ones that can be implemented regularly - periodically throughout the day or week. We often benefit more from regular, frequent stress management activities.
Worst case scenarios exist only in our heads, yet they tend to impact our actions. what must we practice instead?
Think positively
Who is a professional that helps you process your feelings?
Therapist, Counselor
•The process of facing avoided situations gradually and safely is called this.
•What is exposure?
This involves pushing away difficult internal states so you dont acknowledge or deal with them.
What is burying your emotions/denial?
Coping skills are used to avoid problems in our lives
False
Coping skills help us work through our problems and emotions. You do not want to avoid these! Avoiding is considered an unhealthy coping skill.
1 way to overcome avoidance behaviors is....
Develop coping strategies
Recognize avoidance
Seek support
Small exposure
What does buzz lightyear say?
"To infinity and beyond"