When Charles Darwin returned to England in 1836 after his famous 5-year journey that would revolutionize the world of science, he was 27 years old and was just at the beginning of one of the brightest careers in the history of science. He discovered the cornerstones of the formation and development of living life and opened a new horizon in geology and biology that would last for centuries. However, he was a little tired when he returned from the trip... He complained of heart palpitations, tremors, shortness of breath and dizziness. Any event that caused him to become angry would increase his discomfort even more. Two years later, the once fearless traveler chose a lonely life at home. He left his home only when absolutely necessary, in his car with black windows. Darwin never learned the true causes of his disease. Doctors of the period made very different diagnoses of the disease. They even suggested that it could be due to a weak nervous system or complex superego. Of course, it was none of these.
Darwin had agoraphobic concerns. So, is the origin of agoraphobia genetic? According to a team led by Xavier Estivill at the Center for Medical and Molecular Genetics in Barcelona, Darwin's fear of open spaces (agoraphobia) had only one reason: a group of genes he had that not everyone had. In his article published in the famous Cell journal, Estivill suggested that the source of almost every phobia and panic disorder was found in a single area (stretch) consisting of 60 genes.
Anxiety disorders came to Estivill's attention while studying the works of Antoni Bulbena. While working at the del Mar Hospital in Barcelona, Bulbena found that double-jointed patients were 16 times more likely to suffer from neurological disorders than others. Estivill was impressed by these findings and settled in a small town near Barcelona. There, he collected DNA samples from families with both disorders and began looking for common traits. This type of comparative research usually required extensive genome analysis. Matching opposing DNA segments and detecting common sequences (sequences) was a very difficult process. But Estivill took the shortcut: He tested the blood and sperm cells of 10 patients for genetic anomalies/disorders. Searching for He found it on chromosome 15. A 60-gene sequence was duplicated in 87 percent of the double-jointed people and 90 percent of the villagers suffering from anxiety. The same test was repeated among unrelated villagers. The link between anxiety and the genetic disorder was even stronger. While the copying rate of the genetic sequence in question was 7 percent in the general population, this rate increased to 97 percent in those suffering from anxiety disorders.
Estivill said, "I was very surprised by the results." “The disorder should actually be caused by many genes,” he says. Jonathan Flint, a molecular biologist at the University of Oxford, says that if Estvill's numbers are correct, this would be the most significant link between genes and a psychiatric disorder. Brad Schmidt, who has been researching genes linked to anxiety for ten years, said: "It was very difficult for me to believe that panic disorder and phobias could be so simple. "However, the history of science is full of situations that seem quite complex but are actually very simple," he said.
If Estivill is right in his findings, changes in chromosomes may be at the root of other hereditary disorders such as schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorders and depression. In this case, mechanisms such as copying may be the cause of all diseases, from asthma to heart disease. Having identified the duplication site, Estivill took a step further and linked the duplication of at least one nerve receptor encoded by one or two genes to his patients' concerns. “We did not detect all the genes in the region. "However, we think this gene plays an important role in regions of the brain associated with fear." he said.
Estivill inserted a copy of a gene into a mouse. It was observed that the mouse became frightened more quickly and ran quickly when it encountered other mice or bright light. Similar findings may be used to correct anxiety-related disorders. However, it will take time to find a full cure. On the other hand, anxiety can also be beneficial to people to some extent. "Anxiety is a highly developed defense mechanism that keeps us away from cliffs or hungry lions," says Randolph Nesse, a psychiatrist at the University of Michigan. He stated that anxiety is actually something that should not disappear completely.
Even Darwin realized that the suffering he suffered had some benefits. Before his death, Darwin said: "My illnesses may have cut some years off my life, but they also prevented me from being distracted by society." According to some researchers, if it had not been for the panic disorder that focused Darwin's attention, "The Origin of Species" would never have been written.
Estivill actually discovered a different mechanism in our gene system than the known copying mechanism. Many genetic disorders result from a mutation (change) at a specific point on a specific chromosome. For example, cystic fibrosis is caused by a mutated gene that makes fluid in the lungs too fluid. Once changes in genes occur, they are passed on to subsequent generations unchanged. The replication found by Estivill works differently. The location of the duplicate sequences on the chromosome does not change, but the sequence is either inverted or rearranged. More interestingly, these changes can vary from cell to cell within the same individual. Estivill explains this phenomenon as follows: The copy itself is not transmitted, but only the tendency to copy. Estivill reveals a completely new mechanism related to genetic diseases. 30 percent are panic attacks. Thousands of dollars are spent every year for the treatment of panic disorders and phobias, which occur in one in every 10 people. Panic attacks are the main problem of 30 percent of people who call emergency services due to heart attack in the USA. So, what kind of picture does this agoraphobia that accompanies panic attacks look like?
WHAT IS AGORAPHOBIA?
Agoraphobia is the fear of space in general terms. It is frequently seen in people with panic disorder. The person with agoraphobia loses control of himself and thinks that he will die or go crazy. He experiences problems such as chest pain, dizziness, shaking, nausea, sweating and shortness of breath.
A person with agoraphobia feels most comfortable at home. Afraid of being in public places, shopping, traveling. When they encounter a problem in a crowded environment, they think that they will not be able to find help and they are very worried about this situation. Because of these concerns, they moved to a social area. They want to have someone they trust with them when they go. The presence of the person next to them gives them the confidence that they can solve a problem more easily when they encounter it.
What are the causes of agoraphobia?
1 - Agoraphobia may occur due to problems in the nervous system. This situation is due to biological reasons.
2- Having a family member with agoraphobia greatly increases the likelihood of this disorder. This situation is due to genetic factors.
3- If the person has experienced a situation that would cause psychological trauma, such as being attacked or losing a relative, it may cause agoraphobia. This situation is caused by psychosocial factors.
How is agoraphobia treated?
It is necessary to take a correct approach to the person with agoraphobia. The best treatment method is to see a therapist. Agoraphobia can be treated with anxiety medications and antidepressants. Agoraphobia treatment processes often give positive results. The effect of the treatment method may vary depending on the patient's condition.
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