A behavioral strategy of staying away from feared stimuli, situations, or thoughts to prevent anxiety, which often maintains the disorder.
From Old French 'esvuidier' meaning 'to empty out,' from 'es-' (out) + 'vuidier' (to empty).
Avoidance feels safe in the moment, but it's a trap — the more you avoid what scares you, the bigger and scarier it becomes.
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