Visual Spatial

Panic attacks, agoraphobia, and spatial orientation: perception is everything

Raise your hand if you've suffered from agoraphobia. Well, my arm stretched upward. I remember all but housebound because of her in the early 1980s. And if I may that it was with a few drinks in my belt, a few beers in the car, and about ten cigarettes in my mouth. I can not tell you how grateful I am these years have disappeared. But, a huge silver lining is my ability to provide very helpful and effective for those who suffer from the same misery. Well, then. I would like to share some interesting information about the relationship between agoraphobia and something known as the orientation space.

First, let's make sure we have a solid foundation. "Agoraphobia" is a compound word. 'Agora' comes from the Greek "instead of gathering and, of course, "phobia" comes from the Greek "phobos", namely fear. So, we literally "fear of the place of assembly." Now, as you know, agoraphobia and panic attacks are joined at the hip. In fact, a formal diagnosis of panic disorder is "with or without agoraphobia." In other words, agoraphobia is, thus, the anxiety of being in places or situations where a quick exit may be difficult remove. And why not throw in the mix uneasy about who should come to the rescue panic-like symptoms, or an attack, occur. Ultimately, things escalate to the point where the places and situations of perceived threat are often avoided or otherwise they have endured with tons of anxiety. Again, been there and done that too many times.

Well, all that is the direction Space? It's pretty cool, actually. Why not tell us is our ability to maintain a sense of body orientation and / or posture in the context of our immediate environment. And this applies when we are moving and static. Although it is so wonderfully natural, it seems that this "happens", this is certainly not the case. No, to maintain spatial orientation sufficient brain proprioceptive mixture (of skin, muscles, tendons and joints – touch) and vestibular (inner ear) signals of visual messages. And, of course, adjustments are made changes in the environment and / or positioning occur.

Well, research has found a relationship between agoraphobia and problems of spatial orientation that makes a lot of sense, and explains much. It seems that many agoraphobics have weak vestibular function. Therefore, their brains are forced to rely solely on visual cues and tactile spatial orientation. Well, it becomes a major problem if the benchmarks visuals are hard to find, say, if one is standing in the middle of a desert. And problems also occur if the visual input is overwhelming, as what can be known if one is on the dance floor of a popular nightclub. Finally, people with mobility orientation Space has difficulty with uneven surfaces or landscapes, say, one of these pieces in a goofy amusement park funhouse, where the soil is strongly tilted.

Hmmm. Standing in the middle of a desert, being on the dance floor of a popular nightclub, a severely sloping floor in a funhouse. Do not these places and situations that are generally very disturbing and people with agoraphobia with panic? You bet. And it is difficulty with the treatment of atypical audiovisual input.

I really like the discovery and sharing of such dainties. And the cool thing is, once we do our "scientific" discovery we always end up saying, "Well, well, that makes sense. Sometimes all the time. "So, how 'bout we chalk another manifestation of anxiety in biology. And the next time we become distressed on a question of spatial orientation, we will first examine the facts about what really happens and learn to let the panic and escape behind.

About the Author

After a winning bout with panic disorder, a career in the business world, and a part-time job working with socially challenged adolescents, Bill found his life’s passion and work. So he earned his master’s degree and counseling credentials, and is doing all he can to lend a hand to those having a tough time.

Bill has some powerful BE CALM mentoring and service packages available for panic attack sufferers on his website, which include his panic attack education and recovery eWorkbook, “Panic! …and Poetic Justice.” The eWorkbook is delivered via an immediate download. You’ll also find a link on the website to Bill’s Panic Attack Freedom! blog. Lots of good stuff going on and much more to come.

In addition to doing psychiatric emergency work, Bill continues to do a lot of writing and speaking. He’s conducted numerous mental health workshops and is available for future engagements. Bill is a national and local member of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (N.A.M.I.). He resides in the far western suburbs of Chicago where he enjoys time with his two wonderful teenage children.
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