Essay The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

This specific phobia can lead to the person experience of an intense fear when not being able to break out of a populated area (Barlow & Mavissakalian, pp 4). This causes people having to evade open and heavily crowed environments with little possibilities to exit over their massive fear of going through a panic attack. Therefore, today there are signs in many rides at themed parks that warn people of the closed areas. This specific category of phobias causes the person to fear traveling on bus or even waiting in a line. This phobia can also lead to being dependent of someone because they are too afraid to go outside of their homes. Barlow & Mavissakalian (1981 pp 4-5), implicated that the clinical picture painted is consistent and consists or fears of going out to public places and open and crowded places, fears of walking alone or using any means or public transportation, and fears of being alone at home. Agoraphobia is the most disabling of all phobias and usually begins in early adolescence.

Many women develop agoraphobia after marriage and pregnancy, and the feelings of restriction and dependency to their husband (Love, 2012). Getting married and having children are momentous changes in a woman’s identity and have noted feeling “trappedness” (Love, 2012). Studies have noted that this disorder, without panic is highly impairing (Love, 2012) which has proven to be the case with Liz. Unless she has a family member with her, she will not go into public places alone, and will not venture out to try new places. She continues to frequent places that she feels are safe and unthreatening to her

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).

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.

As you walk the streets all around you there are individuals who may live their life in fear of the petrifying clowns that appear out of nowhere, the spine-chilling darkness that creeps in at dusk, or even the nauseating germs of others surrounding you, but what if you knew someone simply terrified of the outdoors. This may seem strange, but these individuals are constantly living in fear of the outside world away from their “Safe Zone”. From the moment they wake they fear the outside world, constantly panicking about what could happen if they venture to the outdoors. Agoraphobia affects between 5-12% of Americans (Misconceptions of Agoraphobia), and is essential to become aware of the true definition of Agoraphobia.

Mental illnesses and their symptoms are intricate experiences that have the ability to be conceived and measured both categorically and dimensionally. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) relies substantially on a categorical application, but requires review of the dimensional temperament of mental disorders. Eating Disorders (ED) have become an abode for implications for meeting criteria of diagnosis. Categorical classifications and details are habitually functional yet have significant confines that need to be acknowledged. Dimensional assessments endorse a more individualised understanding and review of symptoms and contributing factors. Both perspectives should be seen as corresponding, and may beneficially

Agoraphobia is described as a person’s fear of being outside or otherwise being in a situation from which one either cannot escape or from which it would be difficult to escape. Most of the time, the disorder is full blown because of panic disorders.

Symptoms are very important when it comes down to a disorder. Seeing that agoraphobia is classified as a panic/anxiety disorder there are going to be signs and symptoms that’s similar to other anxiety disorder. Furthermore, agoraphobia symptoms include fear and avoidance of places and situations that might cause feelings of panic and entrapment. Agoraphobia can severely limit your ability to socialize, work, attend important events and even manage the details of daily life. Some people have a panic disorder in addition to agoraphobia. Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder in which you experience sudden attacks of extreme fear that reach a peak (Mayoclinc, 2014). However, when people with agoraphobia are faced with these situations they

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).

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.

spaces (agoraphobia). This is a fear of an actual or anticipated situation, such as using public transportation, being in open or enclosed spaces, standing in line or being in a crowd, or being outside the home alone. The anxiety is caused by fearing no easy means of escape or help if intense anxiety develops. Most people who have agoraphobia develop it after having one or more panic attacks, causing them to fear another attack and avoid the place where it occurred. For some people, agoraphobia may be so severe that they're unable to leave home.

People with social phobias have one or more fears of being watched, embarrassed, or judged by others in public. This can carry on into social situations, such as performing on a stage in front of a large crowd. In Addition, people with social phobia may have trouble eating in a restaurant, signing their name in front of others or using a public restroom. Just as phobias are confused with fears, social phobia is confused with shyness. On the other hand, Agoraphobia is the intense fear of feeling trapped and having a panic attack in a public area. “Agoraphobia starts at the ages of 15 and 35, affecting three times as many women as men; moreover 3% of the population” (Davidson). Having an episode of spontaneous panic attacks is the first trigger for the development of agoraphobia. After experiencing the first panic attack, that individual will grow more and more afraid of having a second one. Eventually the person completely avoids public places. In severe cases, people with agoraphobia can no longer leave their homes for fear of experiencing a panic

Now we come to the third category. Fear of open spaces. In this writers opinion this one is the worst. It can severely impact how one lives their day to day life. Could you imagine not being able to step outside of your home? In over 12 years? Unfortunately that does happen to people. The term they use for this is Agoraphobia. This literally means “the fear of leaving home or a safe place”. While once again, no physical harm comes with this, the mental toll it can take on someone is not to be underestimated. Anxiety is bad as it is, but the extreme anxiety of one who suffers from Agoraphobia is even worse. It usually starts with a more mild panic attack which then makes the person fear having another type of panic attack while away from the home. This obviously leads them to not want to leave their home, constantly fearing another attack and avoiding anything that might trigger one.

Agoraphobia and claustrophobia have similarities on reasons , symptoms and treatment. First of all, agoraphobia can be specific or complex phobia like claustrophobia(1). Also, they have the same symptoms. For example, the person who has agoraphobia ,fear of public places, they may be sweating ,nausea and difficulty breathing. Similarly, claustrophobia has a same symptoms in small spaces also(3-4). In addition, both agoraphobia and claustrophobia can be treated successfully by behavioral therapy. Also, in treatment they use a particular medications for both of them to get help on treat(1,3-4). In conclusion, agoraphobia and claustrophobia can treated successfully when they notice symptoms and know the reasons

There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places.A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places.A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places.A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of heights. Agoraphobia is a fear of public places, and claustrophobia is a fear of closed-in places.A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder. It is a strong, irrational fear of something that poses little or no real danger. There are many specific phobias. Acrophobia is a fear of