Dealing With the Second of Three Common Reactions to Trauma

The second common reaction to trauma is to avoid things that remind you of the event. These may be places, smells, people, media, or topics of conversation. This may seem like a good idea but it can also make your world very small.  To avoid feeling painful emotions, you may stop feeling at all and become numb inside. Or you may use drugs or alcohol, or work all the time, or eat too much or too little. The writer of this psalm wanted to avoid his terrifying emotions: he wished could fly away like a dove and wander far into the wilderness.
I am terrified, and the terrors of death crush me.
I am gripped by fear and trembling; I am overcome with horror.
I wish I had wings like a dove. I would fly away and find rest.
yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah Psalm 55:4–7

Be careful of trying to escape completely.  It will not bring healing. What did the Psalmist do?  His solution was to talk to God.
But I call to God, and the LORD will save me.  Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan and he hears my voice.  Psalm 55:16-17
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You can do the same.  He has promised to hear you.  You may feel numb because you have been trying to avoid all help. So start small. Ask God for the strength to confront one important thing that you have been avoiding. Only one! Repeat the request. Share this desire with others. Ask them to pray for you.  More activities that will help you manage your emotions are coming but you can start with this small step.  Even the longest journey begins with one small step.