Manhattan Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Schedule an appointment
  • Home
  • Teletherapy
  • Affiliated Therapists
  • Problems Treated
    • Anxiety
    • Panic Attacks
    • Insomnia
    • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
    • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
      • POCD: Pedophilic OCD
      • HOCD – “Gay OCD”
      • Harm OCD
      • Hit and Run OCD
      • Existential OCD
    • Depression
    • Social Anxiety
    • Trichotillomania
    • Dermatillomania (Skin Picking)
  • Resources
    • What is CBT?
    • How to Get Started with CBT
    • What Is Mindfulness?
    • Free PTSD evaluations for frontline medical workers
    • Worksheets
    • Links
  • Training
    • The MCCBT externship
    • The MCCBT Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Blog
  • Contact us
Home » avoidance

Avoidance: There’s No Escaping Its Importance to Anxiety

January 18, 2021 by Dr. Paul Greene

Sometimes we all skip out on things we don’t like. How is that relevant to anxiety? Very! Learn why avoidance may be the most important thing you’re overlooking to improve your anxiety.

avoidance image

Why Is Avoidance So Important?

We all try to get more of the things we like and less of the things we don’t. People of any age do this, and so do animals — it’s universal.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anxiety, OCD, Panic attacks, PTSD, Social Anxiety Tagged With: anxiety, avoidance, ocd, procrastination, school avoidance, shyness

How the Kavanaugh Hearing Impacted Survivors of Sexual Assault with PTSD

November 26, 2018 by Dr. Paul Greene

The recent Senate hearings that led to the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh were both riveting and painful for many viewers. It’s difficult to recall another time when sexual assault and its effects played such a prominent role in our national conversation.

PTSD Kavanaugh hearing Blasey Ford sexual assault
Dr. Christine Blasey Ford

Dr. Christine Blasey Ford’s description of her 1982 alleged sexual assault experience, and its decades-long aftermath, significantly impacted many survivors of sexual assault—especially those with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some even described the ubiquitous media coverage of the hearing and testimony as “triggering.”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anxiety, PTSD Tagged With: avoidance, flashbacks, medication, sexual assault, trigger

Am I Having a Panic Attack? Learn how to Recognize Panic and Get Help

October 8, 2018 by Kristen Piering, Psy.D.

If you’re wondering whether your anxiety has been leading to panic attacks, read on to learn how to tell — and how to get help.

Alyssa’s Panic Attackteen panic

Alyssa is a high school senior and member of her school’s cheerleading team. She has never had a panic attack. When lifted into the air by her teammates during practice one day, she suddenly feels very dizzy. She fears that she is going to crash to the ground. She yells to her teammates to put her down. When they do, Alyssa begins shaking, hyperventilating, and notices her heart is racing. She tells her coach she thinks there is something wrong with her and runs, terrified, to the nurse’s office. After about ten minutes, she feels better and returns to her team. However, she refuses to be lifted into the air again.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anxiety, Kids and teens, Panic attacks Tagged With: avoidance, dizziness, hyperventilation, school avoidance

Test Anxiety: An Upsetting Problem for Many Teens

February 26, 2018 by Kristen Piering, Psy.D.

boy with test anxiety

Homecoming, senior prom, graduation – these are the common high school milestones that teens look forward to and remember fondly for years to come. However, not all highlights from high school are marked with such excitement and positive emotions. The SATs, ACTs, AP exams, and other high stakes tests are a rite of passage for most students. Unfortunately, they are often marked with nerves, distress, and trepidation. Although few students enjoy these crucial exams, for some, the nervousness transcends the usual test day jitters. These students experience a more intense form of fear known as test anxiety.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anxiety, Kids and teens Tagged With: avoidance, dizziness, school avoidance, test anxiety

Don’t Worsen Your Social Anxiety with Avoidance

March 14, 2014 by Jennifer Chen, Psy.D.

Social anxiety typically involves avoidance of things we find uncomfortable. Learn more about why this a problem, and what therapy involves.

social anxiety and avoidance - Manhattan Center for CBT

“Just imagine them in their underwear!” is a common statement told to those who have a fear of speaking in front of large audiences. Although it can be useful (and entertaining) to use your imagination in this way when giving a presentation, it’s typically not enough to overcome the anxiety that comes up in these situations.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Anxiety, Social Anxiety Tagged With: avoidance, exposure

Manhattan Center for CBT

Search

Key resources

  • Anxiety: Everything you need to know
  • Mindfulness -- A beginner's guide
  • A comprehensive guide to PTSD
  • How to Find a Therapist
  • OCD Overview
  • Insomnia resource page
  • Panic Attacks -- Get informed
  • Social Anxiety guide
  • Trichotillomania information
  • Depression -- Ultimate guide
  • Stay up to date with ManhattanCBT

    Enter your email to subscribe and receive new posts via email.

    Categories

    • Addiction
    • American mental healthcare
    • Anxiety
    • Cancer
    • Career
    • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
    • Coronavirus
    • DBT
    • Depression
    • Eating disorders
    • Evidence-based treatment
    • Featured
    • Insomnia
    • Kids and teens
    • Mindfulness and meditation
    • OCD
    • Panic attacks
    • PTSD
    • Social Anxiety

    Affiliated Therapist Writings

    • Amoha Bajaj-Mahajan, Ph.D.
      • Shy and Dating? Helpful Tips from a Psychologist
      • How to Understand and Overcome Your Anxiety at Work
    • Anna Womack, Ph.D.
      • Self-Care Tips for the Coronavirus Outbreak
      • Unhappy at Work? 3 Options for Job Satisfaction
    • Carly Geller, Psy.D.
      • Cognitive Distortions and What to Do About Them
      • Why You Have Intense Emotions, and How to Cope
    • Rachel Chang, Psy.D.
      • How to Be Awesome at Self-Soothing and Self-Care
      • Accepting Things As They Are: Why and How to Do It
    • Jennifer Chen, Psy.D.
      • Mindfulness of Emotions: How Can It Help You?
      • How to Survive Holiday Stress
    • Justin Arocho, Ph.D.
      • What Is Panic Disorder With and Without Agoraphobia?
      • How to Deal With the Torment of Relationship Obsessions
    • Kristen Piering, Psy.D.
      • Coronavirus: Tips for Parents During Social Distancing
      • “Will I Get Sick Too?” — Talking to Your Children and Teens about Coronavirus
    • Melissa Aiello, Ph.D.
      • Why Do I Hate My Job?
      • How to Overcome the Vicious Cycle of Depression and Avoidance
    • Dr. Paul Greene
      • Change Is Inevitable
      • Is PTSD Permanent? It Doesn’t Have To Be

    Contact Information

    Manhattan Center for
    Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
    276 Fifth Avenue, Suite #905
    New York, NY 10001 (map)
    1-646-863-4225
    https://manhattancbt.com

    Copyright © 2020 Manhattan Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy/Psychology, PLLC, d.b.a. the Manhattan Center for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy & Paul B. Greene, Ph.D. except where otherwise noted.

    Recent Tweets

    Tweets by @anxietyocd

    Recent Posts

    • Change Is Inevitable
    • What Is Panic Disorder With and Without Agoraphobia?
    • Is PTSD Permanent? It Doesn’t Have To Be
    • Integrative Therapies: Are They Good Psychotherapy Options?
    • Avoidance: There’s No Escaping Its Importance to Anxiety
    • How to Handle a Fear of Driving
    • OCD
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Social Anxiety
    • Insomnia
    • Trichotillomania
    • Mindfulness
    • Panic Attacks