Agorafabulous!

"Agorafabulous" is the title of comedian Sara Benincasa's book and also a very silly word. It is a play on the diagnosis "Agoraphobia." According to the American Psychiatric Association (DSM IV-TR, 2000), Agoraphobia is the fear of situations you cannot easily escape. It is often diagnosed in people who also have panic attacks--sudden rushes of fear and discomfort. Many people suffering from Agoraphobia will experience panic attacks in planes, shopping malls, or movie theaters. A small proportion of people with Agoraphobia become unable to leave their home for fear of experiencing feelings of panic in any other location. This was the case for Sara Benincasa in her college years before she became a successful comedian and author.

On Tuesday evening, September 17th at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Sara spoke about her experiences and mental health in college students. As she spoke hilariously about serious psychological issues, Sara evoked tears and laughs in audience members, sometimes in the same sentence. She was candid about her personal struggles with anxiety and depression, recounting her decreased ability to go to class, eat, or bathe. Sara also discussed how the concern of her parents led her seek therapy and medication. A strong message that emerged from her story was the importance of this support system. Sara indicated that she might have died confined in her apartment if she had not had such caring friends. She urged the college students in attendance to reach out for help in times of psychological struggle or even mild stress.

Sara went on to serve in Americorps as a teacher. She described this job as very difficult but also rewarding. Since then, she has translated her personal experiences into standup comedy. Sara continues to do standup on tour and for television as well as writing and speaking publicly about mental health and feminist issues. You can check her out at www.sarabenincasa.com.

By Frances Morris, APtEH Member at the Interactive Resource Center