I coined a concept about it, "psychological avoidance," based on my 20 years of research and clinical work. Psychological avoidance is any response to a perceived threat that brings immediate emotional relief, but comes with long-term consequences. Don't miss: Psychology expert shares 7 toxic phrases 'highly insecure' people always use To live a fulfilling life, we must learn to face our challenges and fears head-on. Here are three common signs of psychological avoidance, and how to handle them:1. What to do instead: The first step is to pause, then approach your discomfort rather than try to eliminate it.

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Persons: I've, I'm