Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Case No.4 - PLR and Topophobia

Phobia , derived from the Greek word  φόβος - Phóbos, meaning  fear  is a type of anxiety disorder, usually defined as a persistent fear of an object or situation in which the sufferer goes to great lengths in avoiding.  In the event the phobia cannot be avoided entirely the sufferer will endure the situation or object with marked distress.

It is generally accepted that phobias arise from a combination of external traumatic events  and internal predispositions. Many specific phobias can be traced back to a specific triggering event, usually a traumatic experience at an early age. It is believed that the brain chemistry combined with life-experiences is one of the factors playing a major role in the development of phobias.

Among the various types of phobias, is Topophobia, which represents the fear of certain places or situations. The origin of the word topo is Greek- meaning place.

Sheila* a young mother, came to me with an affliction towards Taj Mahal. Though she had so far never visited the place, the mere thought of it used to cause her immense discomfort, and she was interested in knowing the reason for this.

On being regressed, she found herself as a young man in the year 1632 in Agra, where she was one of the labourers brought in from various surrounding places, Jhansi in her case, for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Through the next fifteen years all she did on a daily basis was carry huge stone in the construction site. That to suffering immense misery and pain throughout the period of her stay. Finally, when she was incapable of doing any meaningful labour, she was sent back where she found the rest of her family since dead. Subsequently she also died a short while later.

*name changed to protect patient confidentiality.

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