Could it be Genetic?

[samara's on tv]

I was wondering could Emetophobia be genetic? I mean I was adopted right, and no one in my adopted family is emetophobic. I know they aren't, in fact my sister will Vomit at the drop of a hat to feel better. And I repeatedly ask my sister how long it's been since she last threw up and she always says like 4 or 5 years and I ask her if she's scared of it and she says no. LoL I've gone off on a tangent.


Anyway, could it be genetic? I mean for most of us (Or what I've read) people were raised in families that weren't emetophobic. I know that anxiety disorders can be genetic, so could emetophobia be too?


LoL Sorry if anyone thinks this is a stupid question/post.


~Monica

[beadgirl]

I don't think emet can be genetic. I do think you are absolutely right about the anxiety being genetic ( I know i get it from my mom) But think of it this way... My boyfriend is afraid of spiders but no one else in his family is. My brothers think I'm nuts for being afraid of v* but my one brother has a fear of clowns. I thinkphobias come from one specific incident that somehow traumatized you. For me, I think it was when my family was driving home from a party and my mom was wasted. she kept making my dad pull over. For my man, he never liked spiders but once he was doing acid (when he was younger) and someone put a tarantula on him and the acid just amplified the size of the spider which in turn caused him to freak.


And by the way...It's not a stupid post...I think its a valid question and I have contemplated it myself! Sorry so long![img]smileys/smilies_04.gif[/img]

[crimgoddess]

Generally, I don't know if anxiety disorders are necessarily genetic, or are alearned behaviour. There is really no way of telling if you react a certain way because you are genetically programmed to do so, or if you saw that type of behaviour from someone else in your family, who also learned to react a certain way because of incidents they have witnessed in childhood, etc. It's a strange chain reaction that has no definitive origin.


*amber*

[samara's on tv]

Beadgirl...I'm afraid of clowns too. I don't know why. I think it's because when I was like 7 or something I saw the movie IT. That clown is SCARY man. Also I don't like clowns because they are always too freakin happy and that makes me scared. I remember this one time in Vegas when we were going to Cirque De Solia and this clown came up behind me and grabbed me and hugged me. I freaked out. Then some guy came and took our picture, you know for like a souvenier. Anyway when we saw the pictures after the show I looked like a deer caught in headlights. LOL!


~Monica

[mistyeyes]

I think general anxiety disorder is genetic to a certain degree, but I think specific phobias surface depending on what kind of experiences you have as a child.


I know both of my parents have general anxiety, but neither of them truly have any phobias. I think they genetically passed on the anxiety, but also I think some of the anxiety and definitely the specific phobias were learned behavior.

[beadgirl]

OMG Monica! That's why my brother is afraid of clowns! But for some reason He still likes stephen king! I don't quite have a fear of them, but I certainly dont like em! I think its the creepy hair hahahaha! As far as what crimgoddess said, I never knew my mom had anxiety issues till this year (i'm 29) She ended up in theER with chest pains. She thought she was having a heart attck... Turns out it was a panic attack. She's old school though, I tried to get herto go on meds but she doesnt want to! In any case,I don't think they are a learned behavior. I found this on a website about anxiety:


Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric condition ín the United States. About 25 million Americans experience anxiety disorders at some time during their lives; the lifetime risk for an anxiety disorder ís nearly 25%. Nevertheless, only about a quarter of those who experience this problem seek help. In recent years, a number of different anxiety disorders have been classified; the two primary ones are generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), which ís long-lasting & low-grade & panic disorder, which has more dramatic symptoms. Other anxiety disorders include phobias, performance anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) & post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Anxiety disorders are usually caused by a combination of psychological, physical & genetic conditions & treatment ís, ín general, very effective.

[crimgoddess]

<<Anxiety disorders are usually caused by a combination of psychological, physical & genetic conditions>>


lol, generally, what this says is that the medical community can't tell whether it's nature or nurture. Personally, I'm more inclined to believe that although genetics may provide the framework, there needs to be some sort of environmental stimulus- either a traumatic event, living with someone who has an anxious personality themselves, etc.


I think some people are more willing to believe it's genetics because to some extent it removes individual culpability. Yes, genetics *may* play a role- but we are still responsible for our own behaviour, and how we react to phobias of this nature. You may be scared as hell of something- but how you react to that fear and let it play a role in your life is your responsibility. Whether you need help in doing so, or can do it on your own.


So...in that respect...does it's origins matter?


*amber*

[mistyeyes]

Excellent post, amber.


I agree. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[beadgirl]

So how do panic attacks happen when you are not even worrying about something? I know a lot of people on here where v* or n* causes panic. Please explain to me how panic happens when you are going about your day as normal and not worrying about anything? What is the stimulus for that?