Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 3

Once diagnosis of this disorder is made, treatment includes medications and behavior therapy. Medications like SSRIs, tricyclic anti depressants or anti anxiety medications do not cure the disorder but significantly reduce symptoms and panic sensations. In many cases, symptoms of agoraphobia can be controlled within 12 months.

Cognitive behavior therapy also helps people over come agoraphobia. One learns to cope with panic attacks using relaxation techniques. In this treatment, one is slowly desensitized to things that create panic.

There are some people who claim that herbal and dietary supplements like Kava may help but these supplements have also been linked to liver damage.
Individuals who have agoraphobia should definitely seek treatment because the disorder can be successfully treated in most cases. There are also support groups where one can connect with others and understand more about the disorder.

Finally those who have agoraphobia should avoid alcohol and use of illicit drugs- these recreational items just make the condition worse.

Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 2

Experts believe that agoraphobia is a complication of a panic disorder. Most people avoid situations where they feel panic and thus live very sheltered lives. Unfortunately, the cause of agoraphobia is unknown. The disorder usually develops in late teens or early adulthood. It is estimated that 1-5 percent of individuals develop agoraphobia during their lifetime. Women are more prone to agoraphobia than men.

In some cases, fear of having a panic attack may be so great that one may not be able to leave safety of their home. In other cases, one learns to live a restricted lifestyle and is able to tolerate certain situations as long as one is accompanied by a dependent family member or friend. Risk factors that predispose to agoraphobia include having a panic disorder, a stress full experience earlier in life (child abuse), alcohol or substance abuse.

Agoraphobia can lead to social isolation, depression and make one overtly dependent on others. The despair often leads to alcohol and substance abuse to help cope with the situation of hopelessness and loneliness.

Agoraphobia: "unrealistic fear" Part 1

Agoraphobia is a mental disorder associated with unrealistic fear. The syndrome is intricately linked to anxiety. People who have agoraphobia fear being in certain places and easily develop panic like symptoms.

Agoraphobia tends to make people afraid even in open public places like elevators, bridges, high buildings, sporting events, use of public transportation, shopping malls and air planes. This fear can be so devastating that many people are trapped in their homes- this is the only place where they feel safe and rarely venture outside. Some individuals even fear being left alone at home, feel feeble and become dependent on others.

Agoraphobia is difficult to treat because it means confronting the fears. Other symptoms of agoraphobia include difficulty breathing, dizziness, sweating, fast heart rate, nausea, facial flushing, stomach cramps, chest pain, feeling complete lack of control, difficulty swallowing and a sense of doom.

Does lack of sleep cause depression? Part 2

"Adequate quality sleep could therefore be a preventative measure against depression and a treatment for depression," he added.

Chief executive at the mental health charity YoungMinds, Sarah Brennan said: "Enough sleep, good food and regular exercise and all essential to stay emotionally healthy. Nearly 80,000 children and young people suffer with depression, yet we are still failing to provide our young people with the help and support to cope with it and prevent it.”

She adds, “Providing parents with information about how to look after your body, for example by getting enough sleep, and how to get help if they are worried about their teenager, will ensure problems are tackled early and prevent serious mental health conditions such as depression."

Final point: While it may sound reasonable to assume that adequate sleep may prevent depression this is clearly not so. There are many individuals who do sleep well and yet feel depressed- clearly indicating that there are many other factors which play a role in development of depression. If sleep was the only factor then sedatives (and not anti depressants) would have long been a cure for depression; caveat- sedatives can in fact worsen depression!

Does lack of sleep cause depression? Part 1

There has been a dramatic rise in childhood depression in the past 2 decades and no one knows why. A recent study by US researchers indicates that perhaps going to bed early may protect teenagers against depression and suicidal ideations. The latest study in 12-18 year olds showed that those teenagers who went to bed after midnight were 24% more likely to have depression than who went to bed at 10 pm. Moreover individuals who slept less than 5 hours a night had a nearly 71% higher risk of depression than who slept at least 7 hours.

The latest work from Columbia university medical center in NY looked at data gathered from over 15,000 teenagers collected in the 90s. The study revealed that at least one in fifteen teenagers was found to have depression.

All the data indicated that going to bed after midnight was a risk factor for depression and these individuals were more likely to develop suicidal thoughts when compared to children who went to bed at 10 pm. Besides the sleep factor, depression was found to be more likely in girls, older teenagers and in those teenagers who felt that their parents cared little about them.

Lead researcher Dr James Gangwisch does admit that perhaps it is the depression that could be causing the poor sleep patterns. However, it was observed that some of these teenagers only developed symptoms of depression after developing poor sleep habits. Lack of adequate sleep has been linked to aberrant mood changes including loss of concentration, impulsivity and anxiety.