Emotional avoidance can intensify distress: Here's why | Hindustan Times

Emotional avoidance can intensify distress: Here's why

Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

From not responding to them effectively to intensifying the difficult emotions, here are a few ways by which emotional avoidance can lead to more suffering.

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The act of dodging or avoiding our feelings can lead to more suffering. "It’s crucial to understand that every emotion, regardless of its perceived negativity, serves a purpose, offering insights into our inner world and the world around us. Acknowledging and confronting our feelings is a fundamental step towards healing and personal growth. It is through this courageous engagement with our emotional selves that we can achieve a deeper understanding and a more balanced state of mental health," wrote Therapist Andrea Evgeniou.(Unsplash) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

The act of dodging or avoiding our feelings can lead to more suffering. "It’s crucial to understand that every emotion, regardless of its perceived negativity, serves a purpose, offering insights into our inner world and the world around us. Acknowledging and confronting our feelings is a fundamental step towards healing and personal growth. It is through this courageous engagement with our emotional selves that we can achieve a deeper understanding and a more balanced state of mental health," wrote Therapist Andrea Evgeniou.(Unsplash)

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This act of avoidance creates the impression that uncomfortable feelings are bad – this further makes us oblivious to the inevitable future pain. (Unsplash) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

This act of avoidance creates the impression that uncomfortable feelings are bad – this further makes us oblivious to the inevitable future pain. (Unsplash)

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When we do not allow space for our difficult feelings, we lose the ability to address and respond to them effectively. (Unsplash) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

When we do not allow space for our difficult feelings, we lose the ability to address and respond to them effectively. (Unsplash)

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When we become emotionally withdrawn, we may try to alienate or isolate ourselves from people – this can make us feel lonely. (Unsplash) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

When we become emotionally withdrawn, we may try to alienate or isolate ourselves from people – this can make us feel lonely. (Unsplash)

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When we consciously try to avoid or suppress our difficult feelings, we increase the tendency of them becoming more intense in nature. (Unsplash) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

When we consciously try to avoid or suppress our difficult feelings, we increase the tendency of them becoming more intense in nature. (Unsplash)

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Avoiding emotions is not the ideal way of addressing them. This can intensify the emotions and lead to more emotional distress.(Unsplash) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on Feb 17, 2024 02:45 PM IST

Avoiding emotions is not the ideal way of addressing them. This can intensify the emotions and lead to more emotional distress.(Unsplash)

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