Download ENGL 301 Emilie Grace Three Definitions Final Copy

Criteria and Objectives:
The objectives for this assignment are to appreciate the importance of definitions in technical
writing, to understand how your audience and the usage of the document indicate the need for
definitions, and understand which types of definitions are appropriate for different audiences
in different situations. We must compose three definitions (parenthetical, scientific, and
expanded) of a relatively complex term related to our discipline.
Term:
Agoraphobia
Situation:
Molly is a volunteer for Vancouver General Hospital and part of a group in charge of putting
together a presentation on phobias for a workshop open to the general public. Molly is
responsible for information on agoraphobia.
Audience:
The audience in this situation is anyone who is looking to learn more information about
phobias, therefore Molly must target her presentation to the general public of non-technical
readers unfamiliar with agoraphobia.
Parenthetical Definition:
Sometimes, agoraphobia (irrational fear of crowded or enclosed public spaces) develops as a
complication of having panic attacks in one or more situations.
Scientific Definition:
Agoraphobia, a psychological disorder, is characterized by avoiding situations that produce
severe panic or anxiety such as crowded or enclosed public spaces.
Expanded Definition:
What is agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is defined as the irrational fear of public places (Butcher et al., 2014) Persons with
agoraphobia often fear streets, shopping malls, movie theatres, stores, and standing in line
(Butcher et al., 2014).
Where does the term “agoraphobia” come from?
Butcher, Hooley, and Mineka (2014) report the word agoraphobia originates from the words
agora (the Greek word for “public places of assembly), and phobos (Greek word for irrational
fear).
How does agoraphobia differ from claustrophobia?
Agoraphobia is often confused with claustrophobia, as they have similar characteristics. While
agoraphobia is the irrational fear of public places, claustrophobia is defined as the irrational
fear of small, closed spaces (Ost, Alm, Brandberg, & Breithholtz, 2011). Claustrophobia and
agoraphobia are both classified as anxiety disorders and often result in panic attacks, however
the fears stem from different situations and are therefore unique.
What is needed to diagnose agoraphobia (what are the symptoms)?
The DSM-5 (American Psychiatric Association, 2013) lists criteria which much be met to
diagnose psychological disorders such as agoraphobia. Persons diagnosed with agoraphobia
show a ‘marked fear or anxiety’ of two or more of the following:
- Using public transportation
- Being in open spaces
- Being in enclosed spaces
- Standing in line or in a crowd
- Being outside of home alone
Please refer to the DSM-5 for further diagnostic criteria.
How prevalent is agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia affects approximately 0.5%-1% of the Canadian adult population, and is typically
onset in late adolescence or early adulthood (Statistics Canada, 2013). Women are more more
likely to develop agoraphobia than men (Statistics Canada, 2013)
What treatments are available for agoraphobia?
Treatment of agoraphobia is difficult, as patients are often too scared or embarrassed to seek
help in the first place (Statistics Canada, 2013). When the patient does seek help, treatment is
often successful, but success also depends on the severity of the case (Statistics Canada, 2013).
Antianxiety and antipsychotic medication is often prescribed, and psychotherapy is used as well
(Statistics Canada, 2013). Two kinds of psychotherapies are commonly used to treat
agoraphobia:
1) Cognitive-behavioural therapy, which helps the patient understand his or her condition
and helps him/her find ways to cope with it (Statistics Canada, 2013)
2) Desensitization therapy, which forces the patient to confront his or her feared situations
in order to desensitize themselves to it (Statistics Canada, 2013)
Figure 1 The Panic Circle – The typical cycle that characterizes a panic attack with those with
agoraphobia.
Source: Adapted from Butcher J. N., Hooley J. M., & Mineka, S. (2014). Abnormal psychology
(16th ed.). Toronto, ON: Pearson Education Inc.
Sources:
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders
(5th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Butcher J. N., Hooley J. M., & Mineka, S. (2014). Abnormal psychology (16th ed.). Toronto, ON:
Pearson Education Inc.
Statistics Canada (2013). Section B – Anxiety Disorders. Retrieved from
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/82-619-m/2012004/sections/sectionb-eng.htm#a2
Ost, L. G., Alm, T., & Brandberg, M., Breitholtz, E. (2001). One vs five sessions of exposure and
five sessions of cognitive therapy in the treatment of claustrophobia. Behavioural
Research and Therapy, 39(2). Retrieved from
http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/science/article/pii/S00057967990
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