Agoraphobia and Interpersonal Stress

Interpersonal or relational stress is likely to play a role in the development of agoraphobia. In 1987, a study was done at the Montreal General Hospital and Queens University in Canada that analyzed the types of stressful events people experienced prior to the development of panic attacks and agoraphobia.

In the year before the first panic attack of 50 agoraphobics, the majority (84%) experienced severe and prolonged marital or relationship conflicts. Other common stress factors were family conflicts (64%), divorce (26%), marriage (22%), social isolation (22%), death of a loved one (22%), and relocation of residence (18%).

All of the agoraphobics in the study reported having more than one source of interpersonal stress during the year before they started having panic attacks.

Article Source: http://www.agoraphobia.net

Stephen Price is a recovered agoraphobic with a master’s degree in psychology. His informational website on agoraphobia featuring a free newsletter can be found at: www.agoraphobia.ws

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated