Notes For My Research Project: Agoraphobia

Amanda

Mrs. Zurkowski

Purples

9/24/10

Agoraphobia

Notes

·         The most common "phobia" in America is agoraphobia.

·         There are more women than men who suffer from this disorder.

·         3% of the U.S. population suffers from agoraphobia.

·         Agoraphobia is the most serious and renown "phobia" case

·         Agoraphobics are afraid to leave the house and/or afraid to leave a partner due to anxiety issues.

·         Panic attacks are very common if the victim is left alone or put in uncomfortable surroundings.

·         Most phobias are developed between the ages of 15-35.

·         Agoraphobia is the most difficult to treat, but there drugs that reduce anxiety.

·         Psychotherapy and medication has been proven quite effective to reduce the phobia level.

·         Agoraphobia is sometimes described as having a "fear of fear."

·         Some experts think the brain chemistry or genetics changes and causes the development of agoraphobia.

·         “Phobia, an irrational and exaggerated fear of an object or situation. The term is derived from the Greek word phobos, which means "fear," "terror," "panic," or "flight."

·         Agoraphobia is the most difficult phobia to treat.

·         Paxil and Zoloft are the more know drugs to help relieve some anxiety for patients.

·         Sometimes agoraphobia can develop due to an over sensitive nerve system.

·         Heart rate and physical changes can contribute to the development of agoraphobia

·         “During the early 1950s a South African psychiatrist, Joseph Wolpe, discovered that encouraging direct confrontation with feared objects and situations was more effective in treating phobias. His approach, known as systematic desensitization, involves a process of defusing fear by repeatedly introducing the client to the feared stimulus in a careful, systematic progression.”      

Summer Reading Questions

So B. It   by: Sarah Weeks

Social Issues: Agoraphobia victims, Mental illness, Mother/daughter relationships  

The Book

1. The main character of So B. It is 12 year old, Heidi It of Reno, Nevada.  Heidi is described as a brave, outgoing, and determined girl who will stop at nothing to uncover the mysteries of her mother’s past.

2. After the discovery of some old photos of her mentally-disabled mother, 12-year- old Heidi embarks on a cross country road trip to uncover her family history not knowing that along the way she would experience the joy of discovery, the sadness of death, and a new beginning with a family she didn’t know she had.  

3. Sarah Weeks is expressing the many definitions of family and all of them are based on love.  Although non-traditional, Heidi grew up with a “family” of women who loved her and also was fortunate to experience the love and acceptance of the blood relatives she meets in New York. 

The Issues

1. Heidi has lived with her mentally-disabled mother and agoraphobic neighbor her whole life.  Her mother’s brain never worked properly so she could never explain to Heidi who her father is or the meaning of a word she never stops saying- “soof.”  Her neighbor, Bernie, is so busy taking care of Heidi’s mother that she can never focus on getting over her fear of agoraphobia.  Because her mother cannot communicate, Heidi goes off on her own to New York to find someone who tell her what really happened in her mother’s past.

2. Heidi and her mother have a loving relationship.  Despite her mother’s inability to communicate and function as a “parent” and as a “citizen,” Heidi still feels that love and affection given to her everyday.  After Heidi leaves for New York, her mother becomes very ill and passes away.  The sudden death of her mother is a significant event to the main character because her physical relationship is broken with her mother.  During her trip in New York, Heidi discovers who her real father is.  Her new relationship gives her a new start with her father who was never there during her childhood to watch her learn and grow.  The author provokes the reader to think about the relationships they have with their parents, just like Heidi does with her mom after she passes away.         

Research Questions

Questions:

1. What is the best way of treatment for mental disorders, drugs or therapy?

2. What is the most common mental disorder?

3. What is the best way to make people aware of the most common mental disorders?

Research Topic Paragraph

Book: So B. It by Sara Weeks

Topic: Metal Disorders

 Search Terms:

1.      “Agoraphobia”

2.      “Psychological/ behavioral patterns”

3.      “Psychiatric medication” 

4.      “Classification of disorders”

5.      “Peer Support” 

6.      “Causes”

7.      “History”

Mental Disorders

One of the big social issues in So B. It was mental disorders.  Heidi’s mother was mentally ill and she never got the proper treatment she deserved.  Wikipedia states that “A mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern associated with distress or disability that occurs in an individual and is not a part of normal development or culture.”  It also states that “Psychotherapy and psychiatric medication are two major treatment options as are social interventions, peer support and self- help.”  “Commonly recognized categories include specific phobias, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, agoraphobia, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.”  (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mental_disorders#Disorders)  This topic relates to me because I think everyone should have an opportunity to be treated for their mental illness because in my book, Heidi’s mother didn’t have the opportunity to be treated.  Heidi’s neighbor, Bernie, has agoraphobia and she wasn’t treated either.  Although, in So B. It, Heidi interpreted her neighbors illness as a fear, not a disorder. 

Eight women representing the different kinds of mental disorders

A Friendly Letter to My Summer Reading Book Character

703 Churchville Road

Bel Air, MD 21014

September 3, 2010

Dear Heidi,

My name is Amanda. I live in Bel Air, Maryland, and I am a freshman at John Carroll. Reading about your adventure in So B. It by Sara Weeks, gave me the idea of a real summer adventure. Over the summer, I swam on my pool’s swim team, the Rock Spring Racers. We had a great season! I even ran with the Harford County Track Club. I also went to Ocean City, New Jersey, with my family. We spent almost every day at the beach and went boogie boarding. It was a blast!

I thought your story was very inspiring. You were very determined to find your family. I couldn’t believe you were only 12 years old and you took a bus trip across the country by yourself. It must have been very hard to deal with your mother’s death. I’m sure it was very exciting to find out that you had a father and grandparents. A lot of important events shaped the story and made me think about the types of relationships I have with my parents right now.

I thought Sarah Weeks made your character very realistic. The story was believable because there are dysfunctional families like yours all over the world. The author put me in your shoes and made me think about the relationship I have with my mom. I know you had a very close relationship with your mother. Sarah Weeks did a good job showing the special bond you had with her.

On the way to New York, were you afraid that the bus would leave without you when you took stops on the road? If the bus left without me I would have flipped out! How is your relationship with your father now that you know who he is? I hope you have good relationship with him.

Mental illness was a major social issue in So B. It. You grew up in a loving home, but it probably wasn’t the most appropriate. Your mother never got the proper help she needed with her illness, but your neighbor Bernie did her best to take care of your mom on her own. A lot of children can relate to your issue and should get the proper help they need. The issue of mental illness has left me thinking. What happens to the children while their parents get help? Are they put in foster care? One way to raise awareness of mental illness is to tell people about your mom and how special she was.

I hope you have a safe, happy life with your “new” family. Your adventure taught you so much about life and I wish those memories will stay with you forever. You are a true hero and I will never forget your story.

Sincerely,
Amanda

All About Me!

My Unique Profile

My name is Amanda and I’m 14 years old. I attended St. Margaret School, pre-school through eighth grade. I was born on December 28th and have lived in Maryland my whole life. There are five people in my family- mom, dad, Adam, and Sarah, who happen to be twins, and myself. I am a runner and a swimmer. Two of my favorite things to do are listening to music and reading. My all-time favorite series is the Harry Potter books. My family and I are big “concert-goers;” Some of my favorite bands are: Paramore, Kings of Leon, Lifehouse, Coldplay, Bon Jovi, and Daughtry. In fact, I’ve seen all of them in concert! All summer, I’ve been anxiously waiting to start school at John Carroll! I think high school is great opportunity to meet new people and learn many new things. So far, I’ve joined John Carroll’s cross country team. It’s been hard work, but really fun to run with the team so far. This winter, I want to try out for the School’s swim team. My goals for the year are to stay on top of my work and earn really good grades. On the first day, I met all my teachers and they were very friendly and energetic about starting the new school year. I can’t wait to see how my first year will turn out.