Spoiler alert: this article spoils the plot of a movie!
Trigger warning: this article discusses a psychological disorder
Woman in the Window is a 2021 American psychological thriller film based on the novel written by A.J. Finn. The film follows an agoraphobic woman who begins to spy on her new neighbors and is a witness to a crime in their apartment. There are several interesting psychological aspects to this thriller.
What is Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia is a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult or that help would not be available if things go wrong. Many people assume agoraphobia is simply a fear of open spaces, but it is actually a more complex condition. Someone with agoraphobia may be, for example, scared of using public transport, visiting a shopping center, or leaving their house. The main symptom of agoraphobia is the onset of panic attacks, so they are likely to suffer from rapid heartbeat, rapid breathing, hyperventilating, and feeling sick.
The main character of this movie suffers from agoraphobia, which leaves her unable to leave her house. Her tenant lives in the basement of her house and, in return, he helps her take out the trash, get the groceries, and takes care of anything she needs to do outside of her house. Throughout the movie, we notice just how paralyzing this disorder is when Amy witnesses her neighbor being murdered across the street. When Amy tries to leave her house to get help, she faints as a result of the extreme feeling of fear and panic that she experiences when she is outside her house.
What Causes Agoraphobia?
Agoraphobia usually develops as a complication of panic disorder, an anxiety disorder involving panic attacks and moments of intense fear. It can arise by associating panic attacks with the places or situations where they occurred and then avoiding them. Traumatic events may also contribute towards developing agoraphobia, as well as certain genes inherited from your parents.
The main character in the movie lives alone whilst her daughter and husband live somewhere else, but she speaks to them on the phone every day. However, as the movie progresses, we find out from her therapist that her family is actually dead as a result of a car accident whilst she was driving, making her the only survivor. Perhaps the traumatic event of losing her whole family as a result of her driving might have contributed to the development of her agoraphobia.
Treating Agoraphobia
In the movie, the woman receives CBT sessions from her therapist three times a week to deal with this disorder, as well as being prescribed antipsychotic medication. Lifestyle changes may also help, including regular exercise, eating more healthily, and avoiding alcohol, drugs, and drinks that contain caffeine, such as tea, coffee, and cola. Self-help techniques that can help during a panic attack include staying where you are, focusing on something that is non-threatening and visible, and slow, deep breathing.