The avoidance of what causes us fear and anxiety is sometimes positive and adaptive, it saves our lives. But in others, it is not adaptive but maintains and strengthens anxiety and fear.
For example the fear of heights: as I do not climb, I do not see that nothing bad really happens. I avoid my anxiety of the moment, but in the long run it is negative for me and it limits me.
If we face our fear of heights and see that what we feared does not happen (falling into the abyss), our anxiety weakens. From there we can change our thinking about it in order to change our emotions.
Do you want to evaluate your level of anxiety? Take the Test, it will help you.