The Mindfulness Response: The Distressing Reaction & Safety Behaviors

The Mindfulness Response: Distressing Reaction & Safety Behaviors

or Experiential Avoidance

Diagnosis	Symptoms	Avoidance of Emotions	Resulting Safety Behavior
Major depressive disorder	Isolation, crying spells, low energy, low motivation, suicide	Feelings of sadness, guilt, low self-worth	Won’t answer Phone, texts, or Emails or other Communications.
Post-traumatic stress disorder  PTSD	Avoiding trauma reminders, irritability hypervigilance	Memories, anxiety, concerns about safety	Afraid to Go into the Community stays home
Social Phobia Social Anxiety	Fear of being humiliated, or Embarrassed	Anxiety, concerns of judgment from others	Will not go to events, parties, Avoids social situations
Panic Disorder	Racing heart, aches, dizzy, can’t breathe, nausea, diarrhea	Fear, physiological sensations	Stays home Won’t Go to places linked To panic attacks
Agoraphobia	Fear of being in large open spaces in public	Anxiety, fear of having symptoms of panic	Won’t go out In public or to Large stores or public places
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder OCD	Checking, cleaning rituals. Must do or say things to stop intrusive thoughts or actions.	Worry of consequences contamination with germs, disorganized	Is late to appointments, events or misses them
Substance Use Disorders	Seeking to get drunk or high to escape difficult issues	Emotions, memories, withdrawal symptoms	Being drunk or high Interferes with work, family, friends, and obligations.
Complex Trauma	Self-harm, mood swings, anger, arguments, unsafe behaviors	High emotional arousal	Has unstable relationships, break-ups, and divorces.

Figure 3-3 Distressing Reaction Response & Experiential Avoidance, or Safety Behaviors