How Avoidance of Consequences Deepens Anxiety for Scam Victims – 2024

How Avoidance of Consequences Deepens Anxiety for Scam Victims

Understanding How Impactful Avoidance is on the Psychology of Scam Victims in Promoting Anxiety

Primary Category: Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Authors:
• Vianey Gonzalez B.Sc(Psych) – Psychologist, Certified Deception Professional, Psychology Advisory Panel & Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims often use avoidance to cope with the emotional and psychological aftermath of their experience, leading to increased anxiety and hindering recovery.

Avoidance behaviors can include steering clear of financial and legal responsibilities, withdrawing from social interactions, and neglecting emotional healing. Victims may also avoid educating themselves about scams and their psychological impacts, which prevents them from understanding their trauma and protecting themselves in the future.

This avoidance reinforces anxiety by increasing rumination, prolonging stress, and creating a cycle of avoidance reinforcement. Exposure therapy, gradual confrontation of fears, professional help, and support groups are essential for breaking this cycle and promoting recovery.

‘I Just Want To Forget It’ – Denial & Avoidance Are Natural But Will Not Help Scam Victims On Their Path To Recovery From Scams – 2024

‘I Just Want To Forget It’

Denial & Avoidance Are Natural But Will Not Help Scam Victims On Their Path To Recovery From Scams

Scam Victim Recovery Psychology

Author:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims often express a desire to forget or live in peace as a means of escaping the pain and turmoil caused by their traumatic experience. While understandable, these sentiments can lead to denial and avoidance, hindering the recovery process.

Denial and avoidance prevent victims from acknowledging the severity of the scam’s impact, addressing their emotional distress, and seeking necessary support and resources. Living in denial also leaves victims vulnerable to prolonged emotional distress, impaired coping mechanisms, re-victimization, and hindered recovery.

Scam Victims Avoid Or Escape The Aftermath Of Scams – How Denial And Distraction Avoid Confronting Reality – 2024

Scam Victims Avoid or Escape the Aftermath of Scams – How Denial and Distraction Avoid Confronting Reality

Helping Scam Victims Understand Negative Behaviors that can affect their recovery

Authors:
• Tim McGuinness, Ph.D. – Anthropologist, Scientist, Director of the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

About This Article

Scam victims often resort to denial, avoidance, and distractions as coping mechanisms to escape the harsh reality of their situation after discovering they have been scammed. Denial allows victims to bury their feelings and pretend as though nothing has happened, shielding themselves from further emotional distress.

They may minimize the severity of the scam or deflect responsibility onto external factors to absolve themselves of guilt and shame. Avoidance behaviors involve changing the subject, avoiding discussions about the scam, or even refusing to acknowledge its existence.

Avoidance