Cost of Drugs in Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefit Scheme-Reply

Abstract

Darwin's lifestyle, but certain features of his illness suggest agoraphobia. First, attacks were provoked by going into so¬ ciety, traveling distances, and attending scientific meetings, all situations that may evoke distress in persons with ago¬ raphobia. Second, he tended to avoid circumstances in which attacks were likely to occur. Third, he developed a fearful dependence on his wife, as is typical in the disorder. Most agoraphobics are not completely housebound and show indi¬ vidual variation in feared situations as well as avoidance of them. This might account for seeming inconsistencies in Darwin's tolerance for various activities.Mr Gordon correctly notes that vestibular disease is often associated with psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety. The observed association has prompted a search for vestibular disturbances in panic disorder, and Jacob et al4 recently found such abnormalities in patients with agoraphobia. The ves¬ tibular dysfunction of these patients was associated with space and motion discomfort, ie, a sense of imbalance and