The phrase "avoid thought" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is suggesting to refrain from thinking about something, often to reduce anxiety or distraction.
Example: "In order to relax, I try to avoid thought about my upcoming exams."
Alternatives: "suppress thinking" or "refrain from contemplation".
Symptoms of avoidance involve efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings, activities, places or people that arouse recollections of the event, inability to recall aspects of the trauma, and diminished interest or participation in significant events.
In the present study, maximum likelihood factor analyses (n=456 and 459) revealed three correlated factors: unwanted intrusive thoughts, thought suppression, and self-distraction (to avoid thoughts).
Qualitative case-study research with Cambodian refugees found that avoidant coping was utilized with traumatized Cambodian refugees who sought to avoid thoughts, behaviors and activities that reminded them of the past and linked this coping strategy to a history of "dishonorable events in Cambodian history" and collective shame felt by Cambodians [ 31].
I'll purposely avoid thoughts of Season 4 until later.
He does not, however, avoid thoughts of death.
Now he tries to avoid thoughts of the future.
It helps that Ms. Hickson has an inspired ear for the snark, silliness and whimsy marshaled by people trying to avoid thoughts of their future.
It's easy to avoid thoughts of retirement "when you have N.B.A. Pass," Wilkens said last night, referring to the cable television package.
This consists of a series of counselling sessions in which sufferers are taught to watch out for situations that trigger their affliction, and how to avoid thoughts and actions that are likely to lead to a relapse.
A doctor with compassion fatigue may avoid thoughts and feelings associated with a patient's misery, become irritable and easily angered, and face physical and emotional distress when reminded of work with the dying.
