Avoidance behaviour can be divided into three different categories. The first category is the avoidance of situations and/or places as an overall defence against further anxiety and panic attacks. Avoidance behaviour, either partial or total, does not necessarily mean a cessation of anxiety or panic attacks. For many of us it can mean relative safety and most importantly, privacy.
The development of avoidance behaviour means everyday normal situations and/or places can become associated with anxiety and panic attacks. Although we are not frightened of the particular situation or place, we avoid them as an ongoing defence or control of anxiety and panic attacks.
We begin to become restricted in where we can and can’t go. We may find we can travel within a certain radius of a few kilometres of home, and do everything we normally do in relative comfort and safety. Once outside these invisible boundaries our anxiety soars. As an overall control of the disorder, we stay within these invisible boundaries. This may mean becoming restricted not only to the house, but to one room. Even then the anxiety and panic attacks can still remain.
Avoidance behaviour can be very subtle and gradual, as the area of relative safety diminishes over time. We are able to do some things one day, only to find ourselves unable to do them the next. Although it appears illogical to others, this defence against panic attacks and anxiety can mean a possible reduction in them. The cost of this defence is high, as it can mean a total breakdown of our previous lifestyle.
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