Clinical Characteristics Of Disorders Flashcards
What are the behavioral characteristics of phobias?
We respond to things or situations we fear by behaving in particular ways, feeling high levels of anxiety and trying to escape.
What is panic in the context of phobias?
A person with a phobia may panic in response to the presence of a phobic stimulus, which can involve behaviors like crying, screaming, or running away.
Children may react differently by freezing, clinging, or having a tantrum.
What is avoidance in relation to phobias?
Unless making a conscious effort to face their fear, individuals tend to go to great lengths to avoid contact with the phobic stimulus, impacting daily life.
For example, someone with a phobia of public toilets may limit their time outside their home based on how long they can last without a toilet.
What is endurance in the context of phobias?
Endurance occurs when a person chooses to remain in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
For example, someone with arachnophobia may choose to stay in a room with a spider on the ceiling to keep an eye on it rather than leaving.
What are phobias classified as?
Phobias are classed as anxiety disorders, involving an emotional response of anxiety, an unpleasant state of high arousal.
What is fear?
Fear is the immediate and extremely unpleasant response we experience when we encounter or think about a phobic stimulus.
How does fear compare to anxiety?
Fear is usually more intense but experienced for shorter periods than anxiety.
What characterizes an unreasonable emotional response?
The anxiety or fear is much greater than is ‘normal’ and disproportionate to any threat posed.
For example: a person with arachnophobia will have a strong emotional response to a tiny spider.
What is selective attention in relation to phobic stimuli?
Selective attention refers to the difficulty a person has in looking away from a phobic stimulus. This can hinder concentration on other tasks.
Example: someone with pogonophobia will struggle to concentrate on what they are doing if there is someone with a beard in the room.
What are irrational beliefs in the context of phobias?
Irrational beliefs are unfounded thoughts that a person with a phobia may hold regarding phobic stimuli, which cannot be explained and lack a basis in reality.
