aversion or immersion?

I spend too much of my time trying to avoid things, people, and places that make me feel uncomfortable or distressed. I'm not good at shrugging things off. I am the elephant who cannot forget certain memories; memories tucked deeply into the folds of my cerebellum. But I don't know what to do about it. Time heals all wounds, or so I've heard, and I think it's generally true. But what do I do until then--until the day it doesn't hurt anymore? Should I write about these things, on the theory that it's better to draw out bad blood that to let it fester? Or should I keep trying to distract myself with British comedies and endless games of Bejeweled 2?