Hi sbreeze!

I’ve experienced something similar. My suggestion is that avoidance reinforces anxiety because it confirms that your fears are true. Whereas, if you do something while you are afraid, chances are that nothing will happen except for the anxiety and if something does happen, it likely won’t be as bad as you fear. By repeatedly confronting fears you learn that a situation is normal and you don’t have to fear it. It does take time! Confronting and allowing yourself to experience difficult feeling leads to gaining confidence in your ability to cope with difficulties as they arise.

Therapy was a good way to learn how to overcome emotional numbing and learn to manage my emotions.

Would you like to discuss some difficulties that you have experienced in the past?