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Avoidance and dissociation are the two symptoms that retain a good degree of power.

My dissociation has been curbed but busts lose when I grasp its enticing scenarios.

My intrusive thoughts are not filled with fear anymore, they demand revenge and justice now. He lures me in with the unfairness of the acts towards me.

Instead of being a victim, afraid and triggered, I am a vigilante getting even.

Both scenarios are dissociative wastes of time and energy, plus this fuels PTSD.

Our best practice is learning to focus, to know what the mind has selected as a shiny object to be enthralled with.

For me, forgiveness is difficult, so my shiny object is revenge, anger, and a demand for justice.

This internal war makes an inviting bed for avoidance.

I have avoided life to some degree ever since my childhood abuse exploded.

The apex was going agoraphobic for six months, I did not leave my house.

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As adults even normal people avoid places and things, it is a matter of intensity.

Avoidance does not tell the whole story.

Even if I force myself into an awkward situation, overcoming avoidance, the experience can be extremely negative and triggering.

Even with a decade-plus of healing, avoidance is an issue.

What situations or people do you avoid?

What happens when exposure therapy places you in a trigger situation?
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