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.”