4.2.1 Characteristics of phobias

Question 1

What are phobias?

Answer 1

Phobias are an irrational fear of an object, place or situation that causes a constant avoidance of said object, place or situation.

Question 2

What are the categories of phobias recognised by the DSM-5.

Answer 2

/Specific phobia
/Social phobia
/Agoraphobia

Question 3

Explain specific phobia?

Answer 3

Specific phobia: Phobia of a specific object or situation, E.g. A needle or spider, or, flying.

Question 4

Explain social phobia?

Answer 4

Social phobia (Social anxiety): Phobia of social situations, E.g. Public speaking.

Question 5

Explain agoraphobia?

Answer 5

Agoraphobia: Phobia of being outside.

Question 6

What 3 characteristics of symptoms for phobias are there?

Answer 6

/Behavioural
/Emotional
/Cognitive

Question 7

What are examples of behavioural characteristics?

Answer 7

/Panic - Running/Screaming
/Avoidance - Not go outside
/Endurance - In presence but still suffering

Question 8

What are examples of emotional characteristics?

Answer 8

/Emotional responses - Unreasonable/Irrational
/Anxiety - Unpleasant state of high arousal
/Fear - Scream etc

Question 9

What are examples of cognitive characteristics?

Answer 9

/Selective attention - Only focus on the phobia
/Cognitive distortions - Phobia can be distorted