agoraphobia
Agoraphobia
Agoraphobia is a type of panic disorder, which is though to affect between 1 and 7 percent of the population. This phobia accounts for roughly 60% of people suffering from phobias. This disorder is the fear of being somewhere hard to escape, or where help cannot reach you, when panic strikes. For instance someone with agoraphobia may fear a very crowded party, or a vast empty area. Someone having a panic attack in a certain situation generally causes agoraphobia. After having the attack, the person develops a fear of the situation that caused the attack, and fear of having another attack. People suffering from agoraphobia will go out of their way to avoid situations that they fear will lead them to having a panic attack. Some people with very sever forms of the disorder, will go so far as to never leave their house or safe haven. Although it can occur in anyone, agoraphobia generally manifests around the mid twenties, and is more often found in women than men. Symptoms of agoraphobia include a sense of helplessness, as well as feeling very detached from other people. Agoraphobic people also tend to fear not having control in certain situations. Agoraphobia can be very overpowering, however, it is treatable. One way to help treat agoraphobia, is with the use of exposure therapy. By slowly exposing an agoraphobic person to situations, which they fear may cause panic attacks, they can gradually be treated. Another way to treat agoraphobia, much like other anxiety disorders, is with the use of anti depressants. Although it affects so many people, it is still unknown what exactly causes the disorder. However, it is speculated that stressful environments and the existence of other anxiety disorders, contribute to agoraphobia, as displayed by the biopsychosocial approach.
The biopsychosocial approach to psychological disorders says that biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors, could all contribute to the development of a disorder.
Agoraphobia is a type of panic disorder, which is though to affect between 1 and 7 percent of the population. This phobia accounts for roughly 60% of people suffering from phobias. This disorder is the fear of being somewhere hard to escape, or where help cannot reach you, when panic strikes. For instance someone with agoraphobia may fear a very crowded party, or a vast empty area. Someone having a panic attack in a certain situation generally causes agoraphobia. After having the attack, the person develops a fear of the situation that caused the attack, and fear of having another attack. People suffering from agoraphobia will go out of their way to avoid situations that they fear will lead them to having a panic attack. Some people with very sever forms of the disorder, will go so far as to never leave their house or safe haven. Although it can occur in anyone, agoraphobia generally manifests around the mid twenties, and is more often found in women than men. Symptoms of agoraphobia include a sense of helplessness, as well as feeling very detached from other people. Agoraphobic people also tend to fear not having control in certain situations. Agoraphobia can be very overpowering, however, it is treatable. One way to help treat agoraphobia, is with the use of exposure therapy. By slowly exposing an agoraphobic person to situations, which they fear may cause panic attacks, they can gradually be treated. Another way to treat agoraphobia, much like other anxiety disorders, is with the use of anti depressants. Although it affects so many people, it is still unknown what exactly causes the disorder. However, it is speculated that stressful environments and the existence of other anxiety disorders, contribute to agoraphobia, as displayed by the biopsychosocial approach.
The biopsychosocial approach to psychological disorders says that biological, psychological, and social-cultural factors, could all contribute to the development of a disorder.