Agoraphobia Vs Abnormal Psychology

“Anxiety is the signal of danger which mobilizes the human organism’s resources at all levels of functioning in the interests of conservation, defense, and self- preservation.” (Anxiety 1) If a person suffers from anxiety there is a major loss of control and then an attempt to regain that control because of a fear that they have. Anxiety disorders are one of the most frequently occurring mental disorders in the United States. However, anxiety disorders are not only found in the United States. They are found throughout the world. They just happen to be most predominating in the United States. In this paper, I will be discussing the generalized anxiety disorder and how if effects society today.

The changes in the DSM-5 meant that Panic Disorder and Agoraphobia were now separate disorders with separate criteria, as the DSM-5 notes “Agoraphobia is diagnosed irrespective of the presence of panic disorder. If an individual’s presentation meets criteria for panic disorder and agoraphobia, both diagnoses should be assigned” (APA, 2013, p.218). Therefore it is important when using the DSM-5, to explore each Criterion for Panic Disorder, and then Agoraphobia, and compare Tom’s symptoms

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).

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).

A common symptom of Agoraphobia is when an individual is afraid to leave their house. There are treatments to help with agoraphobia that vary from pharmaceuticals to psychological treatment. The information on Agoraphobia provides an

Definition: Agoraphobia is the fear of being in a situation where there may be lack of an escape or help, and may result in embarrassment and humiliation. (MedicineNet, 2013) This may include being in a public or open place; like in a crowd, standing in line, being in some mode of transportation, being on a bridge, or being out alone. (Psych Central Staff, 2013) Often, those with Agoraphobia need the presence of a companion to leave their house or venture to specific places. Anxiety is accompanied when one is placed in these threatening situations and they will experience panic-like symptoms or a panic attack. This fear will cause one to entirely avoid these places or situations and become more reclusive to decrease the panic attacks.

In this paper, the intern was placed at the Mobile County Department of Human Resources in the Adult Protective Services department and will be disclosing information about a particular case during their internship. To protect the clients and all parties associated confidentially within this case, material that could reveal their identity will not be discussed and only relevant information about the case will be addressed. The clients in this case have been both diagnosed with agoraphobia with panic disorder. According to the Social Work Dictionary (2014) agoraphobia is described as “an irrational and persistent fear of being in unfamiliar places or of leaving one’s home” (Baker, p. 13). Agoraphobia with panic disorder is a difficult mental illness to treat, especially with two individuals who have made the decision to stay in isolation. Ebenfeld (2014) explains panic disorder as having unexpected panic attacks and the worry of future attacks (p.2). Some professionals believe that agoraphobia is a secondary onset associated with panic disorders and for the twins’ situation, it is unsure which diagnosis was developed first.

Agoraphobia is a difficult mental illness to treat due to the fact that there is an insignificant amount of people who have been diagnosed within the United States. According to the Mental Health First Aid USA (2013) roughly 0.9 American adults are diagnosed with agoraphobia and the median age of onset is twenty years old (p. 41). People who have agoraphobia have a higher risk of developing substance use disorders by using drugs or alcohol to help them cope with anxiety. In the twins’ case, they are heavy cigarette smokers and it has to be monitored how many packs of cigarettes they are given a week. From research, there are no reports of concerns with diversity, oppression, or populations-at-risk of individuals

Agoraphobia – An anxiety disorder where the person experiences extreme fear of not being safe or overcoming a situation where they may not be able to escape, and no one is around to help or save them. The person exhibits a fear of being around others in a crowd or being outside alone. The cause of this disorder is unknown but usually stems from a person having multiple panic attacks and believing that extremely stressful situations may lead to a panic attack. Some believe that this disorder may also run in the family.

FEAR: Agoraphobia the fear of going out or being in wide open spaces. The client may percieve an environment to be unsafe therefore instilling fear.

Evolutionarily, humans have been hunter gatherers, with a nomadic lifestyle and on a constant move. However, as farming civilization began to occur, it made way to a more stable lifestyle. As humans move towards a more fast paced, sedative, and more technologically advanced lifestyle, various diseases that were once somewhat preventable are on the rise. These may include many psychological ones like depression, anorexia, obesity, stress, situations and genetics. Due to these regions maladaptive behaviors also came into existence. One of the most interesting maladaptive behaviors to research is agoraphobia. Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a type of behavior that inhibit a person's ability to adjust to a particular situation.

Because Agoraphobia was only recently recognised as a distinct disorder little is known about how it is caused, however it is noted that Chambless and Gracely explain it to be a fear of fear (fear of panic attacks and their real or imagined consequences) rather than simply a fear of public places and of being away from home (Chambless & Gracely, 1989). It should also be noted that most people with Agoraphobia will often also have other mental disorders, most frequently other anxiety disorders (Association., 2013).

Adjustment disorder is a common psychological problem which is a short term condition occurring when a person finds it difficult to cope with certain situation. There are numerous reasons behind adjustment disorder not otherwise specified, in most cases it is source of stress that leads to such changes within the individual. Experts believe major change in life, loss of someone special or any unexpected event leads to such problem among individuals. Few years back the name “adjustment disorder” was changed to “stress response syndrome.” With time there are numerous cases of adjustment disorder coming up in light, thankfully there are some advanced treatments coming up to help you overcome

According to the DSM, the major symptoms of Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia are, recurrent panic attacks and enduring anxiety about experiencing another panic attack. The individual is also anxious about going places where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where they will be unable to receive assistance in case of emergency.

Agoraphobia could be a result of previously repressed emotional problems, such as a death of a loved-one or any type of abuse. The fear of some situations is learned. After feeling uneasy in one situation someone might think they will get the same feeling next time. this is classified on the DSM-IV it is an excessive or unrealistic worry about life circumstances.