For me, avoidance is connected to catastrophic thinking. I couldn't even answer a phone - even numbers of friends and family I recognized. I avoided public errands. I made up excuses not to attend things - even those things I knew ought to be fun or positive.

On the contrary though, I did keep doctor and psychiatrist appointments. This was out of an overwhelming sense of obligation and fear of getting in trouble. I just loathed to do so however.