Exploring Possibilities of Moving Beyond Fear in Agoraphobia: A Dance Movement Psychotherapy Autobiographical Research

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

'I ________________ declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.'

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

This research explores the concept of agoraphobics among women. Furthermore, it describes various researches that are being carried in the field of women experiencing anxiety and fear. The phobia is most commonly observed more in women than in men. By studying attachment theory and ambivalent attachment in detail, this research creates a connection between attachment theory and Agoraphobics. Furthermore, the research includes elements from an interview that I conducted with a Dance Movement Psychotherapist practitioner who has worked with people suffering from anxiety and panic. DMP is a form of psychotherapy that differs from traditional psychotherapy, when psychomotor expression is used as a basic mode of intervention (Levy 1988). 'Dance Movement Psychotherapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance through which a person can engage creatively in a process to further their emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration' (Association for Dance Movement Therapy UK, 2003).

As this research is based on my personal experience i.e. an autobiography, this research discusses how I felt during this phobia.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Research Background1

Purpose of the Study2

Research Aim and Objective3

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

Introduction to the Literature5

Agoraphobia5

From Ancient Times to the Present7

Fear and Panic in Agoraphobia8

Attachment Theory: Secure Base and Family Interaction10

Ambivalent Attachment11

Genetic Gene link to Anxiety and Fear12

Secure Place and Attachment13

Public and Private Space14

Feminism, Gender and Agoraphobia15

Freud and Agoraphobia16

Medical Treatment17

Dance and Movement Psychotherapy (DMP)18

Different Approaches in Dance Movement Psychotherapy19

Humanistic Approach20

Psychoanalytic-Psychodynamic Approach20

Developmental Approaches21

Body Mind Centring21

DMP with Anxiety and Agoraphobia21

DMP and Agoraphobic Women23

REFERENCES25

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Research Background

From ancient times to the present day, social, cultural, behavioural, biological and psychological fields have been attempting to describe the anxiety syndromes of agoraphobia and panic.

Based on a qualitative approach with feminist epistemology, my conceptual framework is autobiographical. (Allegranti 2011;Smith 2008; Järviluoma et al. 2003; Letherby 2003; 2001; Stanley 1992; McNiff 1998 et all). My interest in employing an autobiographical methodology was not only for the purpose of an academic orientation. I am agoraphobic and I have experienced two panic attacks in the past, at the ages of 22 and 28.

'My first panic episode happened in a public square in the centre of Athens, Greece, when I suddenly stopped walking and started spinning around, incapable of moving, feeling so embarrassed by the fact that all the people were looking at me and I still could not move. I felt trapped; my panic increased; I started sweating, shaking and my heartbeat was also increased. I was so terrified and incapable of controlling myself and making a step forward. It was a nightmare! I managed to use my mobile ...