Muri Panic: The Evolutionary Theory Of Agoraphobia

Agoraphobia is the fear or anxiety of certain situations where the individual will not have help or when the situation may be difficult to leave. This can lead to being helpless, displaying panic-like symptoms. Avoidance is common and ranges from a few situations to multiple situations. In most severe cases, confines themselves and rarely is out in public unless is with a trusted individual (Nesse 1987).

Fears can be formed in absence of prior experiences. These fears may have a biological factor the is explained by the evolutionary theory. This may account for an individual who has had the phobia for as long as they can remember. These internal fears, from an evolutionary perspective, may have formed to protect the individual. Etiologically, development of specific phobias during childhood are proposed to be from learning experiences that are consistent with normal developmental fears. Biological behavioral patterns, that result from persistent fears, turn into a distinguished phobia. These then are often maintained thereafter by cognitive bias

One could argue that panic is an adaptive defense that facilitates escape from danger. Many variables from this disorder try to explain the evolutionary standpoint and is viewed as an adaptation that evolved to form the flight response to a dangerous situation. In response, the heart will suddenly increase in contractility strength and in rate. This will send extra blood to those working muscles and the body will start shunting blood from non essential systems during this response. Breathing starts to be rapid and deep increasing oxygen content in the blood and removing carbon dioxide. The body will start sweating and the endocrine system will start producing catabolic hormones for the breakdown of vital nutrients. Mental acuity will be heightened and allow the individual to focus evading danger (Nesse