Thought Avoidance: A Psychological Phenomenon
Thought avoidance is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals consciously attempt to prevent or reduce the occurrence of unwanted thoughts. This type of mental act can be seen as a coping strategy used to manage stressful situations, and it has been associated with a range of mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). While it is a common coping mechanism, thought avoidance can have serious psychological ramifications and should be addressed in clinical settings.
The concept of thought avoidance was first introduced by psychologist Steven Hayes in his book “Stalking the Wild Taboo” (Hayes, 1984). Hayes argued that thought avoidance is a form of cognitive avoidance, in which individuals actively avoid or suppress thoughts that are distressing or unpleasant. Research has since demonstrated that thought avoidance is a maladaptive coping strategy and is associated with negative psychological outcomes, such as increased levels of anxiety and depression.
Thoughts can be avoided in multiple ways, including suppressing them, distracting oneself with other activities, and ruminating on other thoughts. Suppression is a conscious effort to push unwanted thoughts out of one’s mind and is often used as a short-term coping strategy. However, research has suggested that suppression can actually lead to an increase in unwanted thoughts and a decrease in overall wellbeing (Wegner, Schneider, Carter, & White, 1987). Similarly, rumination is a process of dwelling on negative or distressing thoughts and can have detrimental consequences for mental health (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2000).
Distraction is another form of thought avoidance in which individuals actively seek out activities or other stimuli to distract themselves from unpleasant thoughts. While distracting oneself can be helpful in the short-term, it can lead to difficulties in problem-solving and emotional regulation in the long-term (Oaten & Cheng, 2006).
Though avoidance is a common coping mechanism employed by individuals to manage distress, it can be associated with a range of mental health issues. For example, individuals with anxiety often use thought avoidance as a way of reducing their anxiety levels (Kashdan, 2004). Similarly, research has suggested that thought avoidance is associated with depression (Wells & Matthews, 1994). Finally, thought avoidance is a key feature of OCD, as individuals with this disorder often engage in repetitive behaviors or rituals to avoid or suppress intrusive thoughts (Foa & Kozak, 1996).
In summary, thought avoidance is a psychological phenomenon in which individuals attempt to reduce the occurrence of unwanted thoughts. Research has demonstrated that this form of mental act can be a maladaptive coping strategy and is associated with a range of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and OCD. Thus, clinicians should be aware of the potential implications of this phenomenon and be prepared to address it in clinical settings.
References
Foa, E. B., & Kozak, M. J. (1996). Obsessive-compulsive disorder: A cognitive-behavioral approach. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Hayes, S. (1984). Stalking the wild taboo: Challenging the boundaries of psychotherapy. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.
Kashdan, T. B. (2004). Anxiety and avoidance: A functional dimensional approach to diagnosis and treatment. New York, NY: Routledge.
Nolen-Hoeksema, S. (2000). The role of rumination in depressive disorders and mixed anxiety/depressive symptoms. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 109(3), 504-511. doi:10.1037/0021-843X.109.3.504
Oaten, M., & Cheng, K. (2006). Longitudinal gains in self-regulation from regular physical exercise. British Journal of Health Psychology, 11(4), 717-733. doi:10.1348/135910705X53047
Wells, A., & Matthews, G. (1994). Attention and emotion: A clinical perspective. Hove, East Sussex: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Wegner, D. M., Schneider, D. J., Carter, S. R., & White, T. L. (1987). Paradoxical effects of thought suppression. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 53(1), 5-13. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.53.1.5