What are you afraid of? Are you afraid of spiders, heights, or snakes? Most of the fears people have are completely normal. Many people feel the same way. But, in some cases, the fear that people have is so intense, it is considered a phobia. About 19 million Americans have a phobia that interfere negatively in their lives. Fear is a feeling induced by perceived danger or threat. But, phobias are much more. “A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder that causes an individual to experience extreme, irrational fear about a situation, living creature, place, or object.” People who have a phobia intentionally avoid what they consider to be dangerous or fearful. They may experience a deep sense of dread or panic when they encounter their source of …show more content…
Afraid of a place where it may be difficult to escape from? This is likely just a normal emotion of fear but, it may be Agoraphobia. “Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder that manifests as a fear of situations where escape could be difficult, or in which help would not be available if something bad were to happen.” Many people misunderstood the meaning of agoraphobia of a fear of open spaces. Agoraphobia is much more complex than that. About 1.8 million Americans over the age of 18 have agoraphobia without a history of panic disorder. Agoraphobia is listed as an anxiety disorder. An anxiety disorder is when a feeling of anxiety doesn’t go away and grows worse over time. Agoraphobia often develops after having one or more panic attacks. This can lead to various fears, such as the fear of open spaces and the fear of elevators. Places that can cause agoraphobia include those that can make a person feel embarrassed, helpless, or trapped, such as crowded areas, bridges, public transport and remote areas. People who have agoraphobia are suggested to have a companion with them when going to public places. Researchers say that agoraphobia still remains unclear, but is thought that areas of the brain that control the fear response may play a role. A person with agoraphobia will commonly fear spending time alone, being in crowded places, open spaces, or small spaces, embarrassment, or of showing embarrassment, etc. They can also experience feelings besides fear which are, detachment from others, a feeling that the body is not reel, and agitation. Some people become overly dependent on others or remain housebound for long periods of time. A person with agoraphobia will also experience physical symptoms such as, chest pain, dizziness, and trembling. People who experience panic attacks may change how they act and function in everyday activities. They can become depressed and commit suicide. Some may abuse alcohol and other drugs. Those who have
Agoraphobia is a psychological disorder characterised by panic and anxiety. This particular anxiety disorder involves the fear of experiencing a panic attack in a public place where safety may be unavailable, which causes discomfort (Lilienfeld, 2017). This disorder is commonly recognized in women and often arises during adolescent years. Often times, people develop agoraphobia after a previous panic attacks, which than causes them to worry about having another in the future (Agoraphobia, 2017). This results in avoidant behaviours, such as evading places where an attack may occur. There are many causes, symptoms, effects on both the individual with the disorder and their loved ones, as well as a variety of treatments available.
A phobic disorder is marked by a persistent and irrational fear of an object or situation that presents no realistic danger. Agoraphobia is an intense, irrational fear or anxiety occasioned by the prospect of having to enter certain outdoor locations or open spaces. For example, busy streets, busy stores, tunnels, bridges, public transportation and cars. Traditionally agoraphobia was solely classified as a phobic disorder. However, due to recent studies it is now also viewed as a panic disorder. Panic disorders are characterised by recurrent attacks of overwhelming anxiety that usually occur suddenly and unexpectedly (Weiten, 1998).
Have you ever had something ever get to you or make you you scared? That is called fear and tons an tons of people have different fears. Fear is an emotion that makes you feel afraid or something is frighten. Some fears many include spiders, clowns and even death. ‘’Fear Prompts Teens To Act Impulsively’’ by Laura Sanders, ‘’Stress for Success’’ by Alison Pearce, and ‘’And Uncomfortable Bed’’ By Guy Maupassant all explain the idea of fear.
Almost everyone alive has a fear of something whether it be heights, spiders or even clowns. Some people however have more serious issues with their fears, fears that follow them almost everywhere they go, these fears are called phobias. It is estimated that 4 to 5 percent of Americans have some type of phobia, which is an irrational fear of situations and certain objects. There are over 500 known phobias; a very common phobia is social phobia.
Having anxiety is common and a part of everyday life however; there is a huge difference between a fear and a social phobia or anxiety disorder. The difference and important distinction psychoanalysts make between a fear and a phobia is “a true phobia must be inconsistent with the conscious learning experience of the individual” (Karon 1). Patients with true phobias “do not respond to cognitive therapy but do respond well to psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic therapy” (Karon 2). Social phobia is a serious anxiety disorder that should not be taken lightly or mistaken as a fear you will simply grow out of the older you get. Social phobia has the power to destroy lives and can prevent people from living and enjoying their life to the fullest. Social phobia is a disabling condition that often starts between the ages of early childhood and late adolescence. The origins of social phobia can be linked to “traumatic social experiences and social isolation” (Hudson118-120). Social phobia is treatable however; research and statics show that not many seek help.
Agoraphobia is the fear or anxiety of certain situations where the individual will not have help or when the situation may be difficult to leave. This can lead to being helpless, displaying panic-like symptoms. Avoidance is common and ranges from a few situations to multiple situations. In most severe cases, confines themselves and rarely is out in public unless is with a trusted individual (Nesse 1987).
What would be the criteria used to distinguish between clinically significant fear and anxiety, and everyday fear and anxiety?
There are three kinds of phobias: simple phobia, social phobia, and panic attacks. Simple phobias, also called specific phobias, are fears of a specific thing, such as spiders or being in a closed place. Most simple phobias develop during childhood and eventually disappear. Specific phobia is a marked fear of a specific object or situation. It is a category for any phobias other than agoraphobia and social phobia. The categories of specific phobias are 1. situational phobias such as: fear of elevators, airplanes, enclosed places, public transportation, tunnels, or bridges; 2. fear of the natural environment such as: storms, water, or heights; 3. animal phobias such as: fear of dogs, snakes, insects, or mice; 4. blood-injection-injury phobia such as: fear of seeing blood or an injury, or of receiving an injection. (Wood 520).
Agoraphobia can be divided into two word parts: agora, a Greek term meaning “marketplace” and phobia, meaning “the fear of something” (Miller, 2011). It is the fear of being in a communal or open place (Miller, 2011). When people have agoraphobia, they often evade situations that may cause them to panic, such as crowded places, leaving a common place, being unaccompanied, or being confined or humiliated (“Agoraphobia,” 2011; “Agoraphobia,” 2014). People often become imprisoned in their own home because they do not feel safe in public places or crowded places, such as malls, planes, sporting events, elevators, or public transportation (“Agoraphobia,” 2011). Initiating treatment can be difficult because it means facing the fear, but a combination of therapy and medicine can reduce the symptoms substantially (“Agoraphobia,” 2011; Miller, 2011).
Agoraphobia is a mysterious and potentially debilitating disorder. Its most well known symptom involves fear of being in open spaces. However, sufferers may exhibit one or a combination of many other psychological, physical, or behavioral symptoms. As a result of these symptoms, people suffering from agoraphobia can be quite misunderstood and have difficulties with personal relationships and functioning in normal daily life.
Main Point 1: There are three main categories of phobias. The first category is Specific Phobias which are known as simple phobias. Specific phobias or simple phobias are usually fears about specific situations, living creatures, places, activities, or things. Examples of simple phobias is dentophobia (dentists), aerophobia (flying), claustrophobia (small spaces), and acrophobia (heights). The other two categories are Social Phobia and Agoraphobia. These two are known as complex phobias. The article “What is a Phobia?”, describes them as complex phobias because “they are linked to deep-rooted fear or anxiety about certain situations, incidents or circumstances, which make them more disabling than simple phobias.” Social phobia is also referred to as social anxiety disorder. Social phobia may be defined in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. (Webmd.com) A person with social phobia finds being in social situations very difficult to handle with because of the lack of social skills or experiences that person may have. Going out to social events such as parties or functions may cause anxiety to a person with social phobia. There is that fear a person has of being embarrassed in public. People with this phobia may be afraid of a specific situation such as public speaking. Medicinenet.com defines “agoraphobia” as “a fear of being outside or otherwise being in a situation from which one either cannot escape or from which escaping would be difficult or humiliating.” The results of agoraphobia are anxiety and panic attacks. People with agoraphobia sometimes confine themselves inside their own home when symptoms are
Death it is something we all must face at one point in our lives or another. It is either a death of a loved one, friend or co-worker. Sometimes it’s the devastation from a natural disaster. No matter what makes us face the idea of death it is how we handle this realization that truly matters. When Gilgamesh is faced with the horrendous loss of his dear friend and comrade Enkidu he begins to fear death. In Gilgamesh’s youth he is proud without fear of death, it is not until he watches his friend die that his own mortality becomes a fear.
You avoid them because you feel trapped and unable to get help if something does go wrong. Most people associate agoraphobia with the inability to leave your home. That isn’t entirely correct. Being housebound is reserved for the most severe form of agoraphobia that only a minority of agoraphobics suffer from. Another misconception include the fear of crowds, while some agoraphobics fear them, others prefer because they feel that crowds provide a degree of safety. While some agoraphobics suffer from the so called “stereotypical symptoms”, not everyone is the same. Symptoms of agoraphobia include sweating, trembling, shaking, breathing problems, nausea, diarrhea, chest pains, dizziness and panic
... is fundamentally a whole; however, many of us have lost touch with significant elements of our selves. Through listening to the information of our dreams and active imagination, we can contact and reintegrate our different parts. The goal of life is individuation, the idea of coming to know, giving expression to, and reconciling the diverse elements of the psyche.
The literal definition of fear states that it is “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger” (Dictionary.com). It’s something we have all experienced, and always will. It is hard to escape, and it can find you anywhere. It can be small, or it could be overwhelming. Sometimes it even eats you from the inside out with stress. No matter who you are, you’re going to have a fear of something, whatever it may be. Even Indiana Jones, one of the coolest, bravest men in the movies had a fear of snakes. I’ve had my own fearful experiences, such as when I was afraid of touching a fish, my first high school football game, and my childhood fear of high dives. Going through these frightful experiences have made me the person I am today, and they