Phobias for no apparent reason

Joel S. Berson Berson at ATT.NET
Mon Oct 28 19:39:40 UTC 2013


"But many people cannot pinpoint a specific event [that provoked a
phobia].  They may have flown for years, then unexpectedly had a
panic attack -- a sudden sure of adrenaline, racing heart, rapid
breathing -- while on a plane for no apparent reason, Barlow said."

I too might have a panic attack if I realized I was on a plane for no
apparent reason.  (On the other hand, if I realized I was merely in
another room of my house for no apparent reason, I would merely be
having a senility attack.)

David Barlow is "a BU psychology and psychiatry professor, and
founder of the school's anxiety center".

Boston Globe, Oct. 28, 2013, G13 (magazine section), col. 3.

Joel

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