Dr LeCrone
03-24-2006, 03:05 PM
Last week, we discussed the emotionally crippling effects of two types of anxiety disorders known as agoraphobia and panic disorder.
Agoraphobia typically develops as an intense ear of being alone or in places where the individual fears being able not to find help should impairment or incapacitation occur.
Individuals with agoraphobia generally feel that their ability to maneuver is threatened in conditions such as sitting in a line at a signal light when cars are in front, back, and on both sides of their car. They may fear getting in the midst of a large group of people in a public place.
They fear being unable to leave without being noticed, thus drawing attention to themselves. Avoidance behavior develops. Eventually they are comfortable only in situations of extreme familiarity, such as their home or office.
Panic disorder may occur in a variety of unpredictable situations. The onset is sudden. Often it is associated with feelings of impending doom. Generally, individuals with panic disorder expend a great deal of psychic energy worrying about when the next attack may occur.
Some patients have told me they begin to believe this problem has developed an identity of its own and grow in a malignant fashion, thus leaving the patient feeling as though he has no control whatsoever over the problem.
Mental health professionals have developed a variety of techniques which have proven to be helpful in both agoraphobia and panic disorder. Research has shown that the most helpful approach is a combination of psychological treatment and medication.
One of the cornerstones of this approach is to help the patient regain a feeling of self-confidence. Then they can control the anxiety, panic and fear characterizing these conditions.
During the development of the problems, the patient’s confidence has eroded. The patient may feel completely helpless when an attack begins.
Teaching the patient to overcome feelings of anxiety can be accomplished through a procedure known as systematic desensitization. Another technique frequently used is called flooding. Unless the condition is unusually severe, treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Psychological therapies most effective in treating both of these disorders fall under the category of behavior therapy. Certain nonaddictive medications which are prescribed by a psychiatrist are helpful in conjunction with the therapy. These medications are usually discontinued after treatment is completed.
The first important step is overcoming both agoraphobia and panic disorder is recognizing and diagnosing the problem correctly. Both have been incorrectly labeled by laymen and health care professionals in the past. Problems that were thought to be hyperventilation, severe mental illness, depression and shyness were in reality manifestations of agoraphobia and panic disorder.
Another difficulty the patient experiences is lack of understanding from relatives and friends. Individuals have been labeled as being weak, lazy, or even putting on an act to get attention. They need support from family and friends as individuals with agoraphobia and panic disorder do have severe discomfort.
Help is available, however, and can give them a new lease on life.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985
Agoraphobia typically develops as an intense ear of being alone or in places where the individual fears being able not to find help should impairment or incapacitation occur.
Individuals with agoraphobia generally feel that their ability to maneuver is threatened in conditions such as sitting in a line at a signal light when cars are in front, back, and on both sides of their car. They may fear getting in the midst of a large group of people in a public place.
They fear being unable to leave without being noticed, thus drawing attention to themselves. Avoidance behavior develops. Eventually they are comfortable only in situations of extreme familiarity, such as their home or office.
Panic disorder may occur in a variety of unpredictable situations. The onset is sudden. Often it is associated with feelings of impending doom. Generally, individuals with panic disorder expend a great deal of psychic energy worrying about when the next attack may occur.
Some patients have told me they begin to believe this problem has developed an identity of its own and grow in a malignant fashion, thus leaving the patient feeling as though he has no control whatsoever over the problem.
Mental health professionals have developed a variety of techniques which have proven to be helpful in both agoraphobia and panic disorder. Research has shown that the most helpful approach is a combination of psychological treatment and medication.
One of the cornerstones of this approach is to help the patient regain a feeling of self-confidence. Then they can control the anxiety, panic and fear characterizing these conditions.
During the development of the problems, the patient’s confidence has eroded. The patient may feel completely helpless when an attack begins.
Teaching the patient to overcome feelings of anxiety can be accomplished through a procedure known as systematic desensitization. Another technique frequently used is called flooding. Unless the condition is unusually severe, treatment can be performed on an outpatient basis.
Psychological therapies most effective in treating both of these disorders fall under the category of behavior therapy. Certain nonaddictive medications which are prescribed by a psychiatrist are helpful in conjunction with the therapy. These medications are usually discontinued after treatment is completed.
The first important step is overcoming both agoraphobia and panic disorder is recognizing and diagnosing the problem correctly. Both have been incorrectly labeled by laymen and health care professionals in the past. Problems that were thought to be hyperventilation, severe mental illness, depression and shyness were in reality manifestations of agoraphobia and panic disorder.
Another difficulty the patient experiences is lack of understanding from relatives and friends. Individuals have been labeled as being weak, lazy, or even putting on an act to get attention. They need support from family and friends as individuals with agoraphobia and panic disorder do have severe discomfort.
Help is available, however, and can give them a new lease on life.
Harold H. LeCrone, Jr., Ph.D. Copyright 1985