Paula Deen and Agoraphobia:
Agoraphobia with panic attacks. In her early 20's, Paula Deen began experiencing symptoms of agoraphobia after a number of major stressful events. Eventually, she became homebound. "After we moved into an apartment, I began to feel safe only within the walls of our home," Deen states on her Web site. "It wasn't long before I stopped doing anything that required me leave the house. I was a prisoner. Even the very thought of having to leave this safety zone drove me into a horrible panic attack." After the family moved to another city, Deen found herself so panicky that she couldn't leave her bed.
Agoraphobia with panic attacks. In her early 20's, Paula Deen began experiencing symptoms of agoraphobia after a number of major stressful events. Eventually, she became homebound. "After we moved into an apartment, I began to feel safe only within the walls of our home," Deen states on her Web site. "It wasn't long before I stopped doing anything that required me leave the house. I was a prisoner. Even the very thought of having to leave this safety zone drove me into a horrible panic attack." After the family moved to another city, Deen found herself so panicky that she couldn't leave her bed.
Treatment Paula Deen Has Received:
Paula Deen has not received professional treatment, but made the decision on her own that she needed to do something to get well for her sons. "One day, I felt like I could see clearly, like I had woken up that day and someone had flipped a switch. I decided that I was not going to let the fear that controlled my life control me anymore. I decided to get out of my bed and start living life to the fullest," says Deen on her Web site. It then took her two years to figure out how to get well. She decided to go into business; she would take what she learned about cooking from her grandmother and run with it.
Paula Deen has not received professional treatment, but made the decision on her own that she needed to do something to get well for her sons. "One day, I felt like I could see clearly, like I had woken up that day and someone had flipped a switch. I decided that I was not going to let the fear that controlled my life control me anymore. I decided to get out of my bed and start living life to the fullest," says Deen on her Web site. It then took her two years to figure out how to get well. She decided to go into business; she would take what she learned about cooking from her grandmother and run with it.
Brief Biography of Paula Deen:
Born January 19, 1947, Paula Deen grew up in Albany, Georgia. Deen spent much of her childhood learning how to cook Southern food from her "Grandmother Paul." After graduating from high school in 1965, Deen married her high school sweetheart, and two sons soon followed. Deen's parents passed away not long after her marriage, leaving Deen to raise her teenage brother, as well. After losing the home and business in the late '70's, Deen's husband moved the family to Savannah. Later, after a 27-year marriage, Deen and her husband divorced. After moving to Wilmington Island, Deen met her current husband, Michael Groover.
Born January 19, 1947, Paula Deen grew up in Albany, Georgia. Deen spent much of her childhood learning how to cook Southern food from her "Grandmother Paul." After graduating from high school in 1965, Deen married her high school sweetheart, and two sons soon followed. Deen's parents passed away not long after her marriage, leaving Deen to raise her teenage brother, as well. After losing the home and business in the late '70's, Deen's husband moved the family to Savannah. Later, after a 27-year marriage, Deen and her husband divorced. After moving to Wilmington Island, Deen met her current husband, Michael Groover.
Paula Deen's Career:
Deen began her first business, "The Bag Lady," in 1989 with $200, and a desire to get over her agoraphobia. The business catered lunch to offices, with Deen's sons doing the delivery. Within two years, Deen opened her first restaurant, "The Lady," in Savannah. Deen wrote her first cookbook in the late '90's, and after a review of her restaurant appeared in USA Today, Gordon Elliott invited her to guest on his Food Network show. Not long after, Deen appeared on Oprah, where she announced that she would have her own show, "Paula's Home Cooking." Additionally, Deen has gone on to write several more cookbooks.
Deen began her first business, "The Bag Lady," in 1989 with $200, and a desire to get over her agoraphobia. The business catered lunch to offices, with Deen's sons doing the delivery. Within two years, Deen opened her first restaurant, "The Lady," in Savannah. Deen wrote her first cookbook in the late '90's, and after a review of her restaurant appeared in USA Today, Gordon Elliott invited her to guest on his Food Network show. Not long after, Deen appeared on Oprah, where she announced that she would have her own show, "Paula's Home Cooking." Additionally, Deen has gone on to write several more cookbooks.
Paula Deen Speaks About Agoraphobia:
I would start the journey of mending. I would never again let myself be a victim of controlling fear. I feel as though I have two birthdays: the first one on January 19, 1947, and the other on June 19, 1989. That was the day that I totally became responsible for myself and my actions. (from her Web site)
I would start the journey of mending. I would never again let myself be a victim of controlling fear. I feel as though I have two birthdays: the first one on January 19, 1947, and the other on June 19, 1989. That was the day that I totally became responsible for myself and my actions. (from her Web site)
Where to Learn More About Paula Deen (References):
1) The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen's Web site)
2) Paula's Home Cooking. The Food Network.
1) The Lady & Sons (Paula Deen's Web site)
2) Paula's Home Cooking. The Food Network.
