⚠️ Anxiety
A situation has produced anxiety which has created symptoms such as overwhelm, fear, worry, sweating, or increased heart rate.

🙈 Avoidance
These symptoms are alleviated by avoiding the anxiety provoking situation.
Examples might look like:
•Using alcohol or drugs to numb the experience
•Skipping an event to avoid social anxiety
•Procrastination to avoid uncomfortable tasks

✈️ Short-Term Anxiety Relief
Avoiding the anxiety provoking situation allows for immediate relief from the discomfort. The symptoms have been reduced, but only temporarily.

📈 Long-Term Anxiety Growth
The fear and anxiety that led to avoidance increases, and the mind has learned that when anxiety inducing scenarios are avoided, symptoms reduce or go away completely. The avoidance is then reinforced and the anxiety symptoms will be persist and often heighten, resulting in more likelihood of future avoidance.