Characteristics of Phobias Flashcards
What are all phobias characterised by?
Excessive fear and anxiety triggered by an object, place, or situation.
How does the extent of fear in phobias compare to real danger?
The fear is out of proportion to any real danger presented by the phobic stimulus.
What does DSM-5 recognise as a category of phobia related to an object?
Specific phobia
What is social anxiety also known as?
Social phobia
What type of phobia is characterised by fear of being outside or in a public place?
Agoraphobia
What are behavioral characteristics of phobias?
Ways in which people act in response to fear.
What is a common emotional response to phobias?
High levels of anxiety
What does a phobic person often do in response to the presence of the phobic stimulus?
Panic
List some behaviors that may occur during panic.
- Crying
- Screaming
- Running away
How might children react differently to panic compared to adults?
By freezing, clinging, or having a tantrum.
What is the primary behavior of individuals with phobias when faced with their fear?
Avoidance
What is endurance in the context of phobias?
Remaining in the presence of the phobic stimulus while experiencing high levels of anxiety.
Fill in the blank: The fear responses in phobias are the same as we experience for any other fear even if the level of fear is _______.
irrational
What can make it hard for phobia sufferers to go about daily life?
Efforts to avoid coming into contact with the phobic stimulus.
What might be unavoidable for someone with an extreme fear of flying?
Endurance in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
