Mental Disorders Flashcards
What are phobias?
A group of mental disorders characterised by high levels of anxiety in response to a particular stimulus or group of stimuli.
The anxiety interferes with normal living.
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Fear is marked and persistent, and is likely to be excessive and unreasonable.
Feelings of anxiety and panic.
These emotions are cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific object or situation (e.g. spiders) and are out of proportion to the actual danger posed.
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Avoidance Freeze or faint Fight, flight, freeze Interferes significantly with the personal normal routine, occupation, social activities or relationships Marked distress about having the phobia
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Irrational nature of the person’s thinking
Resistance to rational arguments
Recognise their fear is excessive or unreasonable
What is depression?
A mood disorder where an individual feels sad and/or lacks interest in their usual activities.
Further characteristics include irrational negative thoughts, raised or lowered activity levels and difficulties with concentration, sleep and eating
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Sadness Loss of interest and pleasure in activities a person is normally interested in. Feelings of despair Low self-esteem Lack of control Inward or outward-direct anger
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
Difficulties in concentrating
Decreased or increased activity patterns
Excessive sleep or insomnia
Increased or decreased appetite
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
Irrational negative thoughts about the self, the world in general and the future
What is OCD?
An anxiety disorder where anxiety arises from both obsessions (persistent thoughts) and compulsions (behaviours that are repeated over and over again).
Compulsions are a response to obsessions and the believes the compulsions will reduce anxiety.
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
Anxiety due to belief of no control
Embarrassment
Shame
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
Compulsive behaviour to reduce anxiety - repeated
May be a response to obsessional thoughts or people may avoid certain stimuli
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Thoughts or impulses
Recognised by sufferers as being excessive or unreasonable
