Characteristics of abnormalities

Question 1

Define phobias?

Answer 1

• Phobia is an intense irrational fear of an object, place, situation, feeling or animal
• More prominent than fears & can lead to individuals organising their life around their phobia
• Phobias are a common anxiety disorder & 15-20% of the population will experience a phobia
• Disorder must interfere with day to day functioning & lasts longer than 6 months

Question 2

What are the 3 main types of phobias?
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Answer 2

1. Specific phobias
2. Social phobias
3. Agoraphobia

Question 3

What are the 3 categories of characteristics for disorders?

Answer 3

1. Emotional
2. Cognitive
3. Behavioural

Question 4

Define emotional characteristics of phobias?

Answer 4

• Persistent, excessive, unreasonable fear
• Produces high levels of anxiety due to the presence of/anticipation of a feared object or situation
• Exposure to the phobia can result in a panic attack

Question 5

Define cognitive characteristics of phobias?

Answer 5

• Recognition of exaggerated anxiety
• Person is consciously aware that the anxiety levels they experience in relation to the feared object or situation are overstated
• Selective attention paid to feared stimulus

Question 6

Define behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 6

• When confronted with phobia, efforts are made to avoid these things in order to minimise the risk of anxiety
• Means everyday life is interfered with
• e.g. crying, screaming, intense paranoia
• Individual will try to move round their phobia in everyday life

Question 7

Define depression?

Answer 7

• Mood disorder causing persistent feeling of sadness & loss of interest
• Called clinical/major depression, it affects how you feel, think & behave
• Can lead to a variety of emotional & physical problems
• Estimated 5% of adults suffer & is a leading cause of disability globally
• Diagnosis occurs when depression interferes with day to day functioning

Question 8

Define emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 8

• Lack of concern with or lack of pleasure in daily activities
• Present & overwhelming feelings of sadness/hopelessness
• Feelings of reduced worth & guilt
• Low self-esteem
• Anger directed at self/others

Question 9

Define cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 9

• Delusions of guilt, punishment, personal inadequacy
• Difficulty concentrating & slower thinking
• Suicidal/death thoughts
• Poor memory & decision making

Question 10

Define behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 10

• Lack of energy resulting in fatigue, lethargy
• High levels of inactivity
• Reduced social interaction
• Significant increase/decrease in weight
• Poor personal hygiene & sleep disturbance

Question 11

Define OCD?

Answer 11

• OCD described as an anxiety disorder
• Condition has 2 main parts: obsessions (thoughts) & compulsions (behaviours)
• 1.2% of UK population have OCD
• Diagnosis: order must interfere with day to day functioning

Question 12

Define emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 12

• Extreme anxiety & stress due to persistent inappropriate or forbidden ideas
• Feelings of guilt & disgust may accompany anxiety
• Low mood

Question 13

Define cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 13

• Repeated self-invented obsessive thoughts
• Understand the thoughts are inappropriate but cannot control them
• Perception focused on anxiety generating stimuli

Question 14

Define behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 14

• Compulsive acts in order to reduce anxiety
• Having obsessive ideas of a forbidden/inappropriate nature
• Creates anxiety causing an inability to complete day to day tasks
• Anxiety levels so high social interactions & relationships are limited