Mental Disorders

Question 1

outline the behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 1

• avoidance
  when a person is faced with a feared situation, the immediate response is to try and avoid it. this inteferes significantly with the persons normal routine, relationships and occupations.
• freezing is another evolutionary response of the stress an individual

Question 2

outline the cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 2

• catastrophizing
• Awareness that your fears are unreasonable or exaggerated but feeling powerless to control them
• resistance to rational arguments as irrational thoughts are overpowering

Question 3

summarise depression as a mental disorder

Answer 3

it is a mood disorder where ab individual feels sad and lacks interest in their usual activities. traits of irrational thinking, difficulties with concentration, eating and sleeping

Question 4

outline the emotional charachteristics of depression

Answer 4

sadness is the most common description of depression along with feeling empty, feeling worthless, hopeless and experiences of low self esteem

loss of interest in usual activities is associated with despair and loss of control

Question 5

behavioural charachteristics of depression

Answer 5

• reduced activity level and a sense of tiredness
• sleep is also affected with some sleeping much more whereas others can experience insomnia
• appetite; some eat much more whilst some have a reduced appetite

Question 6

cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 6

irrational thinking patterns

• negative thoughts about the world
• negative self-concept

overgeneralizing
catastrophizing
- rumination