Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal ISSN 2474-7688 Research article Psychol Behav Sci Int J Volume 15 Issue 3 - September 2020 Copyright © All rights are reserved by Aharoni Avi DOI: 10.19080/PBSIJ.2020.15.555913 Distortion of the Perception of Existential Space: as Illustrated by Phobias Aharoni Avi* and Professor Izhak Schnell Department of Geography, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Submission: June 08, 2020; Published: September 17, 2020 *Corresponding author: Aharoni Avi, Department of Geography, Tel-Aviv University, Israel Abstract in the existential space, as a result of the distortion of the perceptual space, among individuals who suffer from phobic disorders. The school of The current study uses the phenomenological method and is concerned with phobic experiences and the distortion of fields and borders dominantpsychology role tends of the to definespatial thefactor. phobic When phenomenon anxieties are as perceived a sort of inirrational the existential anxiety. space, Therefore, they are it does transferred not attribute to the outerany importance world; at the to samethe causes time, inof the existentialanxiety, as space, experienced a distortion by individuals occurs, which suffering then becomesfrom phobia a real disorders. and tangible Furthermore, threat to thethe individuals field of psychology who are experiencingalso tends to theignore phobia. the of the individual suffering from phobic disorders (harm to the consciousness and its associated elements). This experience imposes a meaningful and significant limitation on the “I” in the individual’s daily reality, and also harms the functioning ability Keywords: Existential space; Spatial phobias; Field distortion; Border distortion Introduction Ponty’s [1] proposal, we can hypothesize that studying and understanding the disruptions in the building of existential of phobias as irrational anxieties. Therefore, it doesn’t ascribe The school of psychology tends to define the phenomenon space may teach us about the importance of an individual’s importance to the causes of phobias, as they are experienced success in creating his own stable, controllable existential by phobic individuals. The discussion in particular ignores space, which enables him to function within the reality of his the relevance of the spatial experience in understanding how daily life. Furthermore, we propose that failure to do so is one to decrease part of the phobias that have been diagnosed by psychologists. Expanding the concept of “space” in geographic Against this background, certain questions arise, such as: Does a terms allows us to focus on a study of the existential space. The of the phenomena that defines a series of phobic phenomena. disruption of the existential space in phobic experiences occur in all or only some phobic experiences? Can we explain which types the experiencing individual and the objects of the experience in definition of space – as the meeting point of interaction between of phobic experiences lead to distortion of the existential space? space, which describes the outer world, and the subjective space Hence, the aim of the current study is to examine to what the outer world – nullifies the dichotomy between the objective of human perception. This space may create an opening toward extent space is a factor in understanding phobic phenomenon, and understanding reality, as it is experienced by individuals who how space is distorted during phobic experiences. Moreover, the suffer from phobia attacks, and raises the following question: study also focuses on conceptualizing the neo-Kantian claim that Does the undermining of the stability of the existential space, as man has an active role in applying spatial forms onto the personal the primary link between man and his existence in the world, play reality he establishes in his daily life; conversely, distortion of this a role in the phobic experience? process does not allow him to lead a regular and routine life. In the current study, we will attempt to examine individuals who suffer This discussion creates an opening for a collaborative effort between psychology and geography. Along the lines of Merleau- their existential space and borders. People’s consciousness about from phobias and, who as a result, encounter difficulties defining their personal situational reality results from extreme events; Psychol Behav Sci Int J 15(3) PBSIJ.MS.ID.555913 (2020) 001 Psychology and Behavioral Science International Journal through these extreme events, we can, as human beings, learn a life-long distribution rate of phobias among more than 14% of about people’s perceptions of their “supposedly normal” daily women and almost 8% among men, Reiger and Robins (1991). existential space. In our study, we chose to address phobias because The ratio between male and female distribution rates differs or situation, which, in reality, represent little or no real danger phobias represent exaggerated, ongoing fears of a specific object example, 95% of the people who suffer from animal phobias are to the individual in DSM-IV. In the professional literature, three significantly in accordance with the type of specific phobia. For women, but as regards blood-wound phobias among genders, the ratio is less than 2:1. In addition, as regards the average age when types of basic phobias are described: specific phobias (phobias that belong to one specific area), social phobias, and agoraphobia phobias involve social situations where individuals are exposed somewhat paradoxical terms as the fear of both open and enclosed the specific phobia appears, the variance is very different. Social (the fear of open spaces) – previously this phobia was defined in to the scrutiny of others; in such situations these individuals fear spaces. However, today it is understood that agoraphobia, for most individuals, stems from the fear of panic attacks, where escape (such as fear of public speaking) or general (such as fear of humiliation and embarrassment. Social phobias may be defined various types of inter-group social activities). Social phobias are is considered to be difficult or embarrassing. This perspective very common, and an approximate estimation is that 2% of the to escape from both open and enclosed spaces. Likewise, today, balances out the paradox in that it may be perceived as difficult entire population suffers from this type of phobia during every phobias. There is a wide range of common phobias and these give a close link is not recognized between agoraphobia and specific during childhood and are more common among women, social us an idea of the range of situations and events around which six-month period. Unlike specific phobias that usually appear phobias usually appear during adolescence or the beginning of adulthood and affect women and men equally. specific phobias may occur. In the current study, we will see that it is possible to relate to agoraphobia and several types of specific spatial phobias. In the current study, we chose three phobias that of “unexpected” attacks of panic, which, often seem to occur for phobias as a group of diagnosed or recognized phobias defined as Panic attacks are defined and characterized as the appearance show the importance of one’s ability to create a stable existential space: acrophobia - fear of heights; claustrophobia (fear of individual diagnosed as having experienced panic attacks has, no special reason. According to the definition of the DSM-IV, an during at least a one-month timeframe sudden, repeated and unexpected attacks, and is constantly concerned about either enclosed spaces); and agoraphobia – fear of open spaces. when the next attack will occur or the results of the attack itself psychological-geographical dialog existing on the subject. This The article first discusses what may be learned from the (i.e., “losing control” or “going crazy”). As was explained previously, comes as an introduction to examining phobic events. After that, a agoraphobia is connected to fear of the “agora”, the Greek word review of phobic events leads to the discussion of a general model for a public gathering place, Marks (1987). Hence, agoraphobic of spatial phobias and its distinctiveness as regards other related individuals are most afraid - and wish to avoid - being out in the experiences linked to phobic events. The Psychological Aspect street or in crowded places such as malls, movie theatres and which in reality; pose little or no real threat to the individual. Phobias are ongoing, constant fears from a specific object or event, Together with this, agoraphobic individuals also tend to fear one stadiums. Standing in a long line may be especially difficult. or more modes of transportation, and many avoid traveling by of animals (a fear of snakes and scorpions are the most common), Specific phobias may involve fears connected with certain types car, bus, plane or subway. Agoraphobia is a common complication or fear of different aspects of the external environment, such as related to panic disturbances, but it may also occur on its own, an individual responds with “a clear and constant fear, which is fear of water or heights. A specific phobia is diagnosed when this case, the most common pattern is a gradual, escalating fear extreme or illogical and which appears after the appearance of a with the absence of any previous full-fledged panic attack. In that continues to grow, where more and more places and spaces outside the home take on a threatening and frightening aspect. and when “exposure to a stimulus that arouses the phobia almost specific object or situation or the expectation of its appearance”, The age in which panic disturbances, with or without agoraphobia, always causes an immediate response of anxiety”. Phobias, appear is usually in the early 20s, although they sometimes occur then, are similar in nature to panic attacks in every way, except toward the end of adolescence or in the 30s. From the moment that in the case of phobias, there is a clear external factor that the disturbance appears, it tends to become a chronic problem, brings on the anxiety or fear (DSM-IV, p.