What is a safety behavior in the context of anxiety?

In the context of anxiety, a safety behavior refers to an action that a person takes to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a feared outcome. These behaviors are often employed by individuals with anxiety disorders as a coping mechanism, with the belief that engaging in these actions will help them avoid a perceived threat or disaster. For example, someone with a social anxiety disorder might avoid eye contact or remain close to a friend during social interactions, believing these behaviors will minimize the risk of embarrassment or rejection.

While the other choices mention techniques related to managing anxiety, they do not accurately define safety behaviors. Techniques used for exposure or methods for diverting attention may be part of therapeutic approaches to treat anxiety but do not align with the concept of safety behaviors that focus specifically on actions taken to mitigate fear-driven outcomes.