Characteristics to phobias, depression, OCD (Psychopathology)

Question 1

What is a phobia?

Answer 1

An irrational fear of an object, act or situation. This leads to a desire to avoid said fear

Question 2

What are some behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 2

-Panic (crying, screaming, running away)
-Freezing in place
-Avoidance
-Endurance (opposite to avoidance, staying in phobic situation and experience high anxiety e.g. fear of flying)

Question 3

What are some emotional characteristics of phobias?

Answer 3

-Anxiety, unpleasant state on uneasiness
-Fear

Question 4

What are some cognitive characteristics of phobias?

Answer 4

-Selective attention (person cannot ignore fear and focuses on it)
Irrational beliefs
-Cognitive distortions (perceptions are altered)

Question 5

What are some facts about depression?

Answer 5

• 1 in 5 people suffer from depression.
• Most common psychiatric condition in UK

Question 6

What are some behavioural characteristics of depression?

Answer 6

• Anxiety levels (reduced energy levels in work, education and social life)
  -Problems sleeping (insomnia/hypersomnia)
  -Eating problems (weight gain or loss)

Question 7

What are some emotional characteristics of depression?

Answer 7

• Anger
• Sadness
• Lowered self esteem

Question 8

What are some cognitive characteristics of depression?

Answer 8

• Poor concentration
• Poor memory
• Absolutist thinking (sees every problem as a disaster)

Question 9

What is OCD?

Answer 9

A mental disorder involving obsessions and compulsions

Question 10

What are some behavioural characteristics of OCD?

Answer 10

-Repetitive physical and mental actions a person feels compelled to perform to prevent something going wrong

Question 11

What are some emotional characteristics of OCD?

Answer 11

-Anxiety
-Depression
-Disgust

Question 12

What are some cognitive characteristics of OCD?

Answer 12

Recurrent thoughts of obsessions which can be distressing