Behavioural Characteristics of Phobias

Question 1

Avoidance

Answer 1

When a person is faced with the feared object or situation the immediate response is to try to avoid it.

Question 2

Disruption of functioning

Answer 2

Anxiety and avoidance responses are so extreme that they severely interfere with the ability to conduct everyday working and social functioning.

Question 3

Freeze/Faint

Answer 3

The stress response is often described as fight or flight, but it is actually fight, flight or freeze. ‘Freezing is an adaptive response because a predator may think the prey is dead.

Question 4

Panic Behaviours

Answer 4

Panic may involve a range of behaviours including crying or screaming.