For people with panic attacks or PTSD, the symptoms can be overwhelming. Racing heart, sweating, nausea, and chest pain so alarming, it can be mistaken for a heart attack. Other times, it can feel like waiting for a disaster to strike. It can be exhausting.
But a lesser-known symptom can significantly affect your quality of life. It’s called avoidance. And it often goes together with panic attacks. It’s a core symptom of PTSD, too.
When you avoid something, do you know why? Perhaps you’re avoiding it because you simply don’t want to do it. Or is there a fear behind it? If you’re not sure what’s behind it, here are some questions to ask:
Am I avoiding this out of fear?
People may avoid places where a panic attack would be embarrassing or hard to escape. Those with PTSD may avoid areas that remind them of their trauma or trigger symptoms. In both cases, the avoidance comes from a place of fear or anxiety, not choice.
Is avoiding this making my life harder or easier?
It makes sense to buy online if it’s more convenient, saves time, or saves money. But what if the item you need doesn’t come in time? Would a trip to the store trigger fear or anxiety symptoms?
Does avoiding mean missing out on something important?
Be honest. If avoiding travel means missing a special event, it can be a sign that avoidance behaviors are a problem for you.
Getting help
Mental health treatment works. And it may be covered by your insurance. If you or someone you love is struggling with avoidance related to panic attacks or PTSD symptoms, Freespira can help.
Freespira is a home-based treatment. It involves learning a healthy breathing pattern through guided, twice-daily practice. It’s medication-free and lasts one month. Nearly 9 in 10 people have fewer symptoms after a month. And the results can be long-lasting. Check your symptoms now using our symptom assessor.
