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

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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.

ABSTRACT

This research explores the concept of agoraphobics among women. The study aims at exploring possibilities that are needed to treat agoraphobic patients. The study finds out psychosomatic symptoms and coping strategies that appear and affect at a bodily level through the DMP treatment among agoraphobic patients. This study also focuses how Dance Movement Psychotherapy (DMP) assists in coping and treating agoraphobia syndrome among women. The importance of the agoraphobic woman to take control of her life is also illustrated in the second case where an exploration through movement in the space provided by the therapist and suggested for the client to use it as she wanted to. Thus, it can be concluded that agoraphobia mostly common in women than men and DMP is one of the most effective therapy for curing agoraphobic patients.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

ABSTRACTIII

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1 Background of the study1

1.2 Purpose of the Study2

1.3 Research Aim and Objective2

1.3.1 Aims2

1.3.2 Objectives3

1.4 Nature of the study3

1.5 Rationale of the study3

1.6 Dissertation layout4

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW5

2.1 Introduction to the Literature5

2.2 Agoraphobia5

2.3 From Ancient Times to the Present6

2.4 Fear and Panic in Agoraphobia7

2.5 Attachment Theory: Secure Base and Family Interaction9

2.6 Ambivalent Attachment10

2.7 Genetic Gene link to Anxiety and Fear11

2.8 Secure Place and Attachment12

2.9 Public and Private Space12

2.10 Feminism, Gender and Agoraphobia14

2.11 Freud and Agoraphobia15

2.12 Medical Treatment16

2.13 Dance and Movement Psychotherapy (DMP)17

2.14 Different Approaches in Dance Movement Psychotherapy17

2.14.1 Humanistic Approach18

2.14. 2 Psychoanalytic-Psychodynamic Approach18

2.14.3 Developmental Approaches19

2.14.4 Body Mind Centring19

2.15 DMP with Anxiety and Agoraphobia19

2.16 DMP and Women20

CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY22

3.1 Research Design/Strategy22

3.1.1 Qualitative Research Method22

3.1.1.2 Autobiographical Qualitative Research22

3.2 Justification for using qualitative research autobiographical method24

3.3.1 Research methods24

3.3.2 Data collection Methods or Tools24

3.3.1 Primary Personal Documentation24

3.3.2 Embodiment25

3.3.3 Interview26

3.3.4 Thematic analysis27

3.4 Data Analysis27

3.5 Ethics28

CHAPTER 4: ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION29

4.1 Analysis29

4.1.1 Autobiographical Experience before Therapy29

4.1.1.1 Panic Attack #129

4.1.1.2 Panic Attack #229

4.1.2 Themes Identified during DMP Therapy30

4.1.2. 1 Stillness30

4.1.2.2 Space and Time32

4.1.2.3 Moving beyond Fear33

4.1.3 After DMP Therapy34

4.2 Discussion35

4.3 Interview findings40

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS42

5.1 Conclusion42

5.2 Recommendations43

REFERENCES45

APPENDIX66

Consent form66

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

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. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), agoraphobia is defined as:

'Fear or anxiety, of being in places or situations from which escape might be difficult (or embarrassing) or in which help may not be available in the event of having an unexpected or occasionally predisposed panic attack or panic-like symptoms. Agoraphobia fears typically involve characteristic clusters of situations that include being outside the home alone, being in a crowd or standing in a line, being on a bridge and travelling in a bus, train, or automobile' (DSM-IV, American Psychiatric Association 1994).

Additionally, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (2008), some people decide not to enter into situations or spaces ...