What mental disorder causes lack of fear?

SM has an unusual genetic disorder called Urbach-Wiethe disease. In late childhood, this disease destroyed both sides of her amygdala, which is composed of two structures the shape and size of almonds, one on each side of the brain. Because of this brain damage, the woman knows no fear, the researchers found.

What is avoidance behavior?

Avoidance and escape refer to behaviors where people either do not enter a situation (avoidance) or leave situations after they have entered (escape). Distraction is considered to be a subtle form of avoidance behavior. Avoidance and escape are natural mechanisms for coping with many kinds of pain and trauma.

What is cognitive avoidance?

Cognitive avoidance is a term that represents several strategies, such as distraction, worry, and thought suppression, aimed at avoiding or escaping thoughts about undesirable situations or problems.

What is avoidance PTSD?

The avoidance cluster of PTSD symptoms is categorized as the attempt to avoid distressing memories, thoughts, or feelings as well as external reminders such as conversations about the traumatic event or people or places that bring the event to mind.

Can a rare brain disorder prevents all fear?

Rare Brain Disorder Prevents All Fear. Because of this brain damage, the woman knows no fear, the researchers found. Experiments have strongly implicated the amygdala in fear processing. Many of these were conducted on animals with amygdala damage. “But one thing we’ve never known for sure, because they’re animals,…

What is the fear of leaving the house called?

A fear of leaving the house is associated with agoraphobia, though not all people with this condition express this concern. Agoraphobia can occur on its own but is more commonly a complication of panic disorder.

What are some examples of phobias that become overwhelming?

Some people’s phobias become incredibly overwhelming, to the point where they avoid going to an unfamiliar place so that there is no chance they can encounter their phobia. For example, a person may never spend any time outdoors because of a fear of spiders.

What part of the brain is responsible for fear?

The study’s authors can’t dismiss other brain regions’ roles in experiencing fear. Yet SM’s complete inability to experience the emotion — in a wide variety of forms — highlights the amygdala’s pivotal role in feeling afraid.