**5.3 Avoidance-avoidance conflict**

There are two negative ends at stake here. There are times when a person must pick between two undesirable outcomes. Both outcomes are undesirable in a dispute of this nature, but he cannot remain neutral. A woman, for instance, is forced to choose between working a job she despises and staying unemployed. The person is hemmed in by two antagonistic dangers, anxieties, or circumstances. If she is stuck between the two options, she can always leave the field. However, the escape could have negative repercussions. A person who is unable to persuade his or her mother or spouse could, for instance, turn to harmful behaviors like excessive alcohol usage or suicide.

When trapped in such situations with no way out, some people may resort to 'amnesia' or other defense mechanisms like regression or fantasy to alleviate their stress.
