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Agoraphobia Article
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Agoraphobia History
from:The belief that panic is a result of deep psychological problem is incorrect.
Of course anyone can have deep-seated problems and traumatic experiences but that would not necessarily follow that agoraphobia will be acquired. Anyone could be depressed, self critical, suffer occasional shifts in moods, panic etc., but these do not necessarily relate to developing agoraphobia.
However, there are those who are more prone to develop agoraphobia than others whether they have a history of a panic disorder or not.
Agoraphobia could be developed without a history of a panic disorder.
This topic has undergone serious discussion and research among psychiatrists. Since agoraphobia typically is triggered by panic attacks, it is first considered whether agoraphobia without the history of panic disorder is valid or not. Debates also centered on whether this could be classified or a manifestation of a general anxiety disorder, social phobia or an avoidant personality disorder. Ultimately though, it was accepted that agoraphobia could happen even when there is no previous panic disorder.
For example, a person that has suffered severe gastroenteritis could be locked up in a hotel room for several days. When the illness is gone, that person will be afraid to leave the room (or any comfort zone) for fear that an attack might happen in public. The anxiety of being shamed in a public place could make the person very reluctant in going out of the room and could start the attack.
Agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder is a unique illness and although it rarely happens, it is valid.
Agoraphobia history through inherited genes
Agoraphobia could also be traced to the genes that a person inherited from the parents. There are families with multigenerational history of depression and of being agoraphobic. What makes this worse though is that an agoraphobic parent does not only transfer the genes to the offspring, The interrelationships in the family and the family culture makes a person more prone to the illness than others.
Today, research shows that 40% of people with agoraphobia came from families with history of depression and agoraphobia. A twin of an agoraphobic whose illness was caused by the genetic imprint of the family will likely have 75% chances of developing the disorder. Research also shows that when anxiety disorders run in families, the heritability of the generalized genetic disorder or GAD is 0.32, confirming that there is a strong genetic component to agoraphobia.
Studies on the histories of the families where agoraphobia develops are important methods in evaluating the effects of the environment on people suffering from agoraphobia. Aside from determining the genetic imprints, it could also be a source of evaluating the impact of the disorder in families and the prognosis for recovery.
A major portion of people who developed agoraphobia could be traced by a series of panic attacks. These attacks could happen anywhere and very unexpectedly. Because of its suddenness and intensity, the person having the panic attack would try everything in his part not to suffer terror he once felt. The resulting action would be avoidance of places and events where the panic attack happens. For example, when a person had his first panic attack in an elevator, that person will associate the elevator as the cause of his panic and will never ride if not try as much as possible to avoid riding in elevators again.
The causes of agoraphobia attack differ from person to person. However, in establishing the causes of the panic disorder, the history and the development of the agoraphobia is an essential part in the prognosis.
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Agoraphobia News
An Agoraphobic's Connection to the Outside World: 4500 Menus - The Atlantic
An Agoraphobic's Connection to the Outside World: 4500 Menus The Atlantic After marrying and having children, Mericle developed agoraphobia and gradually stopped venturing outside her home. Yet she remained very connected to the outside world -- through the mail. To satiate her love for celebrity gossip and Hollywood, ... |
Teenage agoraphobia sufferer thanks Jedward for saving her life - Metro
 Metro | Teenage agoraphobia sufferer thanks Jedward for saving her life Metro Rubee Lovegood was suffering with severe anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder and agoraphobia. And she dropped out of school aged 11 because her bullying classmates didn't understand her condition. But 17-year-old X Factor fan finally gained the ... Jedward 'Save Agoraphobic Girls Life' Jedward help fan conquer fear 'I'd be dead if it was not for Jedward', says teenage girl |
Frank's Prayers Are Answered On 'Shameless' (VIDEO) - Huffington Post
 AfterElton.com | Frank's Prayers Are Answered On 'Shameless' (VIDEO) Huffington Post Convinced that the key to keeping his secret lay in forcing Sheila back into agoraphobia, Frank tried every "Shameless" (Sun., 9 pm EST on Showtime), bizarre and underhand trick he could think of to destroy her new-found confidence. Shameless 2.04 "A Beautiful Mess" Review |
You can keep the great outdoors, Rosie Jo isn't moving from her scullery - This is Cornwall
You can keep the great outdoors, Rosie Jo isn't moving from her scullery This is Cornwall I was amazed at Rosie Jo the adorable agoraphobic cat who had all the space in the world outside but never wanted to leave the house. Rodents and songbirds were as safe as houses at her household because Rosie Jo will not venture outside. |
BC billionaire pleads guilty to confining hooker in his home - Toronto Sun
BC billionaire pleads guilty to confining hooker in his home Toronto Sun KNR, who has agoraphobia – a fear of being trapped – hurt her Achilles tendon and suffered a bone fracture trying to escape. The court heard how she scaled and jumped from an eight-foot fence outside the home. Minutes before her injury, she phoned her ... |
Shameless: Hitting Rock Bottom - TV.com (blog)
Shameless: Hitting Rock Bottom TV.com (blog) Sheila's agoraphobia has had her stuck inside the house for far too long now, and it would be nice to let Joan Cusack spread her wings a bit. Here's hoping her hint of marriage to Frank could move things forward for her. – It was nice to see Karen's ... |
BC billionaire pleads guilty to confining hooker - CANOE
BC billionaire pleads guilty to confining hooker CANOE KNR, who has agoraphobia – a fear of being trapped – hurt her Achilles tendon and suffered a bone fracture trying to escape. The court heard how she scaled and jumped from an eight-foot fence outside the home. Minutes before her injury, she phoned her ... |