117 lines
5.5 KiB
Plaintext
117 lines
5.5 KiB
Plaintext
The following is a good definition of AGORAPHOBIA and many of the
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symptoms that Agoraphobics experience. This definition was taken
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from a pamphlet distributed by The Freedom From Fear Foundation.
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What is AGORAPHOBIA ?
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The word AGORAPHOBIA is derived from two Greek words: AGORA, meaning
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a popular political assembly, which at one time took place in the
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market place; and PHOBIA, meaning a fear or dread. Put together, the
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two words can be interpreted literally as a fear of the market place.
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In fact, Agoraphobia is a condition in which sufferers experience a
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morbid fear of anything and everything outside of their own homes.
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A panic attack ?
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Yes. The panic attack is the most frightening experience that an
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Agoraphobic can undergo. During such an attack, the anxiety escalates
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to the point that the sufferer is actually incapacitated by it. It is
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a moment of sheer terror during which he is sure that he is going to
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die, go insane or at least become unconscious. He may experience any
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of the following symptoms:
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- sweaty hands - palpitating heart - dizziness
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- tightness in chest - hot flushes - blurred vision
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- nausea - diarrhoea - free floating sensation
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Not all of these symptoms may be present in every panic attack and
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others not listed here may be present, but one ingredient is present
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in every attack - a feeling of sheer terror.
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Does every Agoraphobic suffer panic attacks ?
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---------------------------------------------
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Not necessarily. In some cases the anxiety may be quite mild, but once
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a panic attack has been experienced the Agoraphobic has a new fear - that
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of another attack. This creates still further fear of the outside and the
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Agoraphobic becomes more and more hestitant about leaving the house.
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Are there other symptoms ?
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Yes. In addition to the physical symptoms described, a number of emotional
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symptoms may develop. These include:
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- feelings of inadequacy - guilt - depression
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- irrational fears which cannot be overcome
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- lack of confidence in oneself
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- uneasiness in relation to oneself and to others
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What does this do to an Agoraphobic ?
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Because of the anxiety experienced whenever the Agoraphobic goes
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outside, he/she tends to avoid situations requiring him/her to do so.
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The Agoraphobic generally withdraws into thier home or other places of
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security, leaving it only for the most essential of reasons, and only
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then with great difficulty. In many cases, especially when panic
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attacks have been experienced, the Agoraphobic becomes completely
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housebound, relying on others for his/her very existance. Often the mere
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thought of going outdside is enough to trigger the anxiety.
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This can often lead to other complicated consequences. Frequently the
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sufferer becomes convinced that he/she is going insane. If leaving the
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home is unavoidable on a regular basis, as when a person has to work
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for a living, a sufferer may take to alcohol ot other drugs for help,
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creating additional problems. Agoraphobia places a severe strain on a
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marriage, particularily where the partner is unable to understand the
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feelings of the sufferer. Other consequences can be:
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- loss of friends - hostility towards those one is dependant on
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- isloation from family and friends
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If this condition widespread ?
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YES. Because of the nature of the condition, however, sufferers tend
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to hide themselves away, afraid to tell other how they feel. Almost
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typically the untreated Agoraphobic believes that he/she is the only
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person to feel as he/she does. We now know that there are many thousands
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of sufferers in Canada and other countries. It is estimated that in
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the Toronto area alone, there are aprox. 300,000 sufferers. US estimates
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are approx 20 MILLION sufferers. Many feel that the numbers are higher
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since many may not be classified as having Agoraphobia when they are
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treated for substance abuse. Many professionals in the field feel that
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the tendency towards substance abuse is linked to Agoraphobia.
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What can be done about it ?
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The first step is to convince the sufferer that he/she is not alone,
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that he/she is one of amny thousands of people in Canada suffering from
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this condition. The next step is to show him/her that Agoraphobia is
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treatable. Professional treatment is usually but results of treatment in
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general, are good, and many thousands of people have been helped back
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to normal living as a result of a proper treatment program.
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Agoraphobics seeking treatment are advised to to first consult their
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family doctor. Make a printout of this bulletin and show it to your
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doctor, to the doctor better understand what the Agoraphobic feels.
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Your doctor will the necessary referrals for you. Another bulletin will
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outline where to seek treatment in the Toronto area.
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The key is to remember that many suffer from Agoraphobia and that there
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is treatment for this problem.
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Note : this bulletin was put together by the staff at Canadian
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Investor BBS (416) 897-6047 & 897-7065. Please feel free
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to post this up as a bulletin on any BBS. We only ask that
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you leave this note in your bulletin. The reason for that is
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that Canadian Investor BBS has an area reserved for Agoraphobia
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and panic & anxiety sufferers.
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