Should I avoid my triggers for panic attacks?

Panic attacks are very hard to deal with. The trouble with avoidance though is that one never learns how to deal with the situations that cause you to panic, and that isn't helpful in the long run. Speaking from experience, it's better to face your fears, unless you really cannot bring yourself to do so. If you panic, that's okay, and if you don't, then you are proving to yourself that the situation is not always a trigger and that's brilliant progress. Coping with crippling anxiety is very difficult, I completely understand the attraction of avoiding triggers of panic attacks. Don't allow your anxiety to control your life by avoiding the things that make you anxious - remember that YOU are I control, not the anxiety and panic!

Yes, trying to avoid one's triggers is essential in my experience. It won't always be possible, of course, but making a conscious effort to avoid triggers can really improve one's quality of life. If you know beforehand something might be triggering for you, there is nothing wrong with putting yourself first and doing everything in your power to avoid the potentially triggering situation.

Yes and no. Approach them in moderation. It might help you get over them slowly, like introducing a new pet to a household.

It depends, but one is never obliged to put their [mental or physical] health and/or safety at risk.

It depends. I suffer from panic attacks, and my triggers include alcohol and social situations in general. I try to avoid alcohol, as it is something that is easily avoidable and would not affect my quality of life if I didn't have it. However, I try not to avoid social situations just because it has the potential to trigger a panic attack, as it is important to maintain social interactions. Instead, I try to make it as comfortable an environment for myself as possible - for example, bring a friend - to prevent triggering a panic attack (and if it does trigger one, they'll be there to help).

It's best to avoid triggers whenever you can. Some people tell you to learn to manage them which is great, but it can cause unneeded stress in your life.

No. Avoiding the triggers can cause a bigger problem you're already in. It is better to face them and deal with them in the correct manner.

Do not completely avoid them. Have enough exposure so that you eventually become comfortable or used to them. Complete isolation from them can make their influence worse

Panic attacks can be overwhelming ! I personal avoid triggers until I'm well enough to manage the situation and myself !

If you are in a fragile state or without available support then it may be wise to avoid your triggers. But, when you are feeling more confident in yourself and your abilities to handle stress I think it is healthy to expose yourself to them. Continued exposure makes your triggers less scary and they will have less power over you. (think of jumping into a cold swimming pool - yes, it's jarring, but you get used to it). I try and be mindful that 'distressing does not equal dangerous.' Just because it feels bad/scary/uncomfortable doesn't mean you are in danger. You are truly having those feelings and your feelings are real, but they are not hard facts. It is very difficult to separate the two and having the support of someone you trust to help you through it is really helpful.

I think it depends on the trigger and sometimes the length of time since the trigger event happened. If it's a recent traumatic event, such as the death of a young child - avoiding birthday parties is completely understandable. And for some people, it may always be a trigger. For others, they may be able to be present at such events after a length of time has passed (and that time frame differs for everyone). I think it all depends on the individual person. I also believe, though, that if a trigger is still as fresh several years from the date of the event, that a person should consider seeking support from a professional to work through these feelings and let the trigger emotions evolve into something more manageable. No one should have to live with that heavy of an emotional burden for so long. Especially if the trigger is interfering with your ability to live a normal day to day life.

Although it's sometimes wise to avoid triggers, avoiding every trigger every time is likely to increase your anxiety in the long run. Each time you avoid a 'triggering' situation, your world gets a little smaller. It's as if your anxiety learns that it can bully you into missing out on the things you used to enjoy, or the things you need to get done. When you avoid your triggers, anxiety wins. Meet your triggers in a mild way in a safe environment. Watching your anxiety rise and fade is the best way to learn that you can get through triggering situations without having a panic attack. Gradually increase the intensity of the triggers and your anxiety is likely to decrease over time. All that being said, there will be times when it's unsafe or inappropriate to face your triggers and times when you deserve to give yourself a break. Consider what will be best for you and pick your battles.

Yes, but also recognize what it is about the triggers that cause you to have a panic attack so you can learn to handle them better when the triggers do pop up.

Yes, I always think it's a good idea to avoid all triggers at all times. Because if you avoid triggers - there may be less involvement for your panic attacks. I hope all goes well!

Make a goal to slowly build the bravery to expose yourself to something that may trigger you; soon it will no longer a fear.

It depends on what triggers you; for example; if a certain scent triggers a panic attack, you should avoid it, but say, if it's the smell of hand soap (or another common scent), avoiding it would be completely unrealistic, and you should seek out better ways to deal wit this trigger.

Some people feel this may be the best solution, but if you avoid triggers, the anxiety will never get better. I suffer from Emetephobia, an extreme fear of vomiting, it has many impacts on my life and the events I take part in. One for example, is eating lunch with other children. I eat in the Learning Support room at school, but this isn't helping me too improve. I would say, when you feel comfortable, start taking small steps in facing up too this anxiety trigger

This is an interesting question. There is value in avoiding them and confronting them. Before confronting your triggers make sure you have good tools for managing and reducing panic when it is triggered. Then when the stakes are low you can try to expose yourself to trigger in small amounts overtime.. this will help you desensitize yourself to the triggers. this is called exposure therapy.

Avoiding triggers is a great way to reduce your panic attacks however if you are looking for a way to feel better in the long run then avoiding your problems may not always be the best approach. Try listing out your triggers and figuring out how they make you feel and why. Imagining them as physical thing may also help. In the end, just try to accept your fears/triggers and that may help you to not react in a way that causes a panic attack.

You should avoid them at first. I would not suggest facing them all at one time, then pushing yourself to limits and giving yourself major panic attacks, but you should also learn ways to power through them in a safer way.

Avoiding triggers can be good to avoid panic attacks, but also facing triggers can help you overcome panic attacks.

Hello, what I've learned is not to avoid them, because the more things you avoid in your life the more trapped your going to feel. Don't let your fears limit your life, seek professional help, you are not alone!

A lot of therapist say you really shoudn't avoid your triggers or else it could make them worse when they appear..

I think ultimately you know what's best for your mental health and your situation. I think if you are struggling with avoidance to the point where it is keeping you from doing the things you need to do everyday, and/or adversely affecting relationships, school, work, etc. it may be time to consider working with a professional. There are some great therapists here on 7cups. But also, there are certain specially trained therapists that help people face their fears in an ever-increasing fashion, done in a safe and supportive environment. It is known as exposure therapy. Perhaps this is something you might read about and consider finding a therapist trained appropriately for this. Thanks for reaching out and best of luck :)

I'm gonna talk from experience but no, you shouldn't. Because in the long run it makes it worse. It's really hard to go through panic attacks and i know that, it's draining. But the only way to make things a bit better is to face the issue slowly, you don't have to deal with your triggers all at once, in situations when you don't feel safe. Take it slow, try to always have a safety "escape" plan in your mind just to be reassured, try to have a friend with you when you're going to a place that could be triggering etc. Just please don't try to avoid certain situations.

in some cases I understand, but in overall you really shouldn't avoid your triggers if possible. you should get to the root of the problem and deal with it head on, otherwise it will keep occurring and will continue to eat at your heart, it'll get to a point where you are letting it control your life, and you shouldn't be held back. avoiding your triggers will do that to you. you need to let things go, and letting things go is probably one of the hardest -if not. hardest- things you can possibly do. in the end its ultimatley up to you and how you live your life. and eventually, you'll get through it and you will be a better person because of it.

I can only go off my personal experience for this: I’ve found it helpful to avoid big triggers but not small triggers, that way I still live my life without any massive panic attacks and over time some of my triggers have went away

Avoid them if and when possible, but do not be scared of your triggers. Sometimes we have no choice but to confront our triggers, but we have the opportunity to overcome them.

It's never a good idea to completely remove your triggers - this can lead to anxiety developing and getting worse; instead of avoiding them completely, consider approaching them in a more controlled way - get a friend to support you, be by your side, walk away if it gets too much but always go back a little bit further than last time. Small, positive steps are the way forward here.

Absolutely not. This will cause you to have more anxiety. I suffer from anxiety and panic attacks and have made the mistakes of avoiding things that make me feel anxious. You'll miss out on a lot of things and that's not what you want.