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How to live around someone who suffers from; avoidant personality, claustrophobia, panic, agoraphobia, anxiety, phobia, and separation anxiety - and how to help them?
An_245669 posted:
My 33 year old friend (with a college degree, very sweet, kind and has lots of talent!) suffers from all of the below... she lives with her parents for the 4th time, is constantly worrying about everyone around her to the point of annoyance, lacks self esteem and doesn't believe in herself, is fraile and weak physically, and is stuck in a loop of feeling the following about everything that happens to her;
separation anxiety disorder
agoraphobia
Is there a NAME for all of this? Do you know anyone who suffers from the same? What should I tell her?
separation anxiety disorder
- a mental disorder occurring in childhood characterized by excessive anxiety when the child is separated from someone to whom the child is attached, usually a parent.
- Social Phobia ( Social Anxiety Disorder ) is a persistent fear, without apparent justification of social or performance situations. A person may feel that their behavior well be scrutinized by others, leading to embarrassment and an anxiety response in the form of a situationally bound or a situationally predisposed Panic Attack.
- Any objectively unfounded morbid dread or fear that arouses a state of panic. The word is used as a combining form in many terms expressing the object that inspires the fear.
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by free-floating anxiety that seems to be a constant feature of daily existence. GAD can range from mild nervousness to a continuous feeling of dread. There may be somatic symptoms, muscle tension, muscle aches, or shaky feelings.
agoraphobia
- Agoraphobia is marked anxiety or distress of leaving home, being in public places, or feared situation(s). This anxiety or distress stems from the fear of being trapped, stranded without help, or from the anxiety these situation(s) cause. These situation(s) may lead to a Panic Attack or a panic like symptom. Agoraphobia is often associated with Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia or Agoraphobia Without History of Panic Attack.
- The main feature of Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia is unexpected and recurrent Panic Attacks, along with Agoraphobia. The frequency and severity of these unexpected and recurrent attacks vary widely from individual to individual. Sometimes attack occur ever day, then sometime once ever few months. Some attacks may be long and some may be short you never know. These attacks come when they feel like it, giving the person great apprehension about the next attack.
- an enduring and pervasive pattern in adulthood characterized by hypersensitivity to rejection, humiliation, shame, feelings of inadequacy resulting in social inhibition, and an unwillingness to enter into relationships without unusually strong guarantees of uncritical acceptance.
- A morbid fear of being in a confined place.
Is there a NAME for all of this? Do you know anyone who suffers from the same? What should I tell her?
Take the Poll
What would you do as her friend?
- Nothing - too muck work, let the friendship go
- Only encourage the little things she does accomplish
- Encourage her to get help and point out these 'diagnosis' to her
- Talk to her parents, not her, about what you think should be done
1 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:How to live around someone who suffers from; avoidant personality, claustrophobia, panic, agoraphobia, anxiety, phobia, and separation anxiety - and how to help them?My 33 year old friend (with a college degree, very sweet, kind and has lots of talent!) suffers from all of the below... she lives with her parents for the 4th time, is constantly worrying about everyone around her to the point of annoyance, lacks self esteem and doesn't believe in herself, is fraile and weak physically, and is stuck in a loop of feeling the following about everything that happens to her;<br />separation anxiety disorder <ol><li> a mental disorder occurring in childhood characterized by excessive anxiety when the child is separated from someone to whom the child is attached, usually a parent.</li></ol>social phobia <ol><li> Social Phobia ( Social Anxiety Disorder ) is a persistent fear, without apparent justification of social or performance situations. A person may feel that their behavior well be scrutinized by others, leading to embarrassment and an anxiety response in the form of a situationally bound or a situationally predisposed Panic Attack. <br /></li></ol>phobia<br /> <ol><li> Any objectively unfounded morbid dread or fear that arouses a state of panic. The word is used as a combining form in many terms expressing the object that inspires the fear.</li></ol>generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) <ol><li> Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is characterized by free-floating anxiety that seems to be a constant feature of daily existence. GAD can range from mild nervousness to a continuous feeling of dread. There may be somatic symptoms, muscle tension, muscle aches, or shaky feelings.</li></ol><br />agoraphobia <ol><li> Agoraphobia is marked anxiety or distress of leaving home, being in public places, or feared situation(s). This anxiety or distress stems from the fear of being trapped, stranded without help, or from the anxiety these situation(s) cause. These situation(s) may lead to a Panic Attack or a panic like symptom. Agoraphobia is often associated with Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia or Agoraphobia Without History of Panic Attack. </li></ol>panic disorder with agoraphobia<br /> <ol><li>The main feature of Panic Disorder With Agoraphobia is unexpected and recurrent Panic Attacks, along with Agoraphobia. The frequency and severity of these unexpected and recurrent attacks vary widely from individual to individual. Sometimes attack occur ever day, then sometime once ever few months. Some attacks may be long and some may be short you never know. These attacks come when they feel like it, giving the person great apprehension about the next attack.</li></ol>avoidant personality disorder <ol><li> an enduring and pervasive pattern in adulthood characterized by hypersensitivity to rejection, humiliation, shame, feelings of inadequacy resulting in social inhibition, and an unwillingness to enter into relationships without unusually strong guarantees of uncritical acceptance.</li></ol>claustrophobia<br /> <ol><li> A morbid fear of being in a confined place.</li></ol><br /> <br />Is there a NAME for all of this? Do you know anyone who suffers from the same? What should I tell her?<br /> <br />
Patricia Farrell, PhD responded:
I would suggest that your friend consult with her PCP and have a complete medical evaluation because there may be a number of things at work here and not all of them are necessarily psychological.
I never make a diagnosis for anyone I haven't met face-to-face because to do so would be unethical.
I suggest that your friend begin with a visit and a complete medical exam and then the next steps, whichever might be most useful, can be taken. This might include some cognitive therapy for her and, possibly, some family therapy for everyone.
I never make a diagnosis for anyone I haven't met face-to-face because to do so would be unethical.
I suggest that your friend begin with a visit and a complete medical exam and then the next steps, whichever might be most useful, can be taken. This might include some cognitive therapy for her and, possibly, some family therapy for everyone.
Report This| Share this:How to live around someone who suffers from; avoidant personality, claustrophobia, panic, agoraphobia, anxiety, phobia, and separation anxiety - and how to help them?I would suggest that your friend consult with her PCP and have a complete medical evaluation because there may be a number of things at work here and not all of them are necessarily psychological.<br /><br />I never make a diagnosis for anyone I haven't met face-to-face because to do so would be unethical.<br /><br />I suggest that your friend begin with a visit and a complete medical exam and then the next steps, whichever might be most useful, can be taken. This might include some cognitive therapy for her and, possibly, some family therapy for everyone.
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