--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we fight against and/or hide from…" description: "\"“When we fight against and/or hide from unpleasant or painful sensations and feelings, we generally make things worse. The more we avoid them, the grea..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/peter-a-levine-11668_corrosive-emotions_when-we-fight-against-and-or-hide-from-u_2597614.jpg" --- # When we fight against and/or hide from unpleasant or… ![“When we fight against and/or hide from unpleasant or painful sensations and feelings, we generally make things worse. The more we avoid them, the greater is the power they exert upon our behavior and sense of well-being. What is not felt remains the same or is intensified, generating a cascade of…” quote by Peter A. Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/peter-a-levine-11668_corrosive-emotions_when-we-fight-against-and-or-hide-from-u_2597614.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/peter-a-levine-11668_corrosive-emotions_when-we-fight-against-and-or-hide-from-u_2597614.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ea/peter-a-levine-11668_corrosive-emotions_when-we-fight-against-and-or-hide-from-u_2597614.jpg) > ““When we fight against and/or hide from unpleasant or painful sensations and feelings, we generally make things worse. The more we avoid them, the greater is the power they exert upon our behavior and sense of well-being. What is not felt remains the same or is intensified, generating a cascade of virulent and corrosive emotions. This forces us to fortify our methods of defense, avoidance and control. This is the vicious cycle created by trauma.”” [Peter A. Levine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-a-levine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding painful feelings strengthens their grip, leading to worsening emotional states and trauma cycles. **In simple terms:** Avoidance worsens pain and trauma. Key Takeaway Face feelings to reduce their power. Themes trauma avoidance emotional health self-awareness Mood anxious reflective Type advice psychological When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal reflection - stressful work environments - relationship conflicts Key Concepts psychology mindfulness cognitive patterns Questions to Reflect On - What feelings are you avoiding? - How might confronting them change your behavior? 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