what is avoidance?
<answer> Avoidance behaviors, in the context of social anxiety disorder, are things that people do, or don't do to reduce anxiety about being in social situations. <context> Avoidance behaviors, in the context of social anxiety disorder (SAD), are things that people do, or don't do to reduce anxiety about being in social situations. These behaviors are problematic because in the long run they only serve to increase fear. Avoidance behaviors can take three different forms: avoidance, escape or partial avoidance.