Phobias

Question 1

What is a phobia

Answer 1

An irrational fear of a particular stimulus or situation which causes high levels of anxiety and interferes with normal living

Question 2

Explain why phobias are categorised by irrational fear

Answer 2

The extent of the fear is out of proportion to any real danger presented by the phobic stimulus

Question 3

List and outline the three categories of phobia recognised by the DSM-5

Answer 3

1. Specific phobia- fear of a specific object or situation
2. Social phobia- fear of social situations
3. Agoraphobia- fear of being trapped in a public place where escape is difficult

Question 4

What disorder category of the DSM-5 do phobias fit under

Answer 4

Anxiety disorders

Question 5

What is meant by a behavioural characteristic of phobias

Answer 5

The way a phobic stimulus makes a person act

Question 6

What is meant by an emotional characteristic of phobias

Answer 6

The way a phobic stimulus makes a person feel

Question 7

What is meant by a cognitive characteristic of phobias

Answer 7

The way a phobic stimulus makes a person think

Question 8

State three behavioural characteristics of phobias

Answer 8

1. Panic
2. Avoidance
3. Endurance

Question 9

State three emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 9

1. Anxiety
2. Persistent fear
3. Unreasonable emotional response

Question 10

State three cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 10

1. Irrational beliefs
2. Cognitive distortions
3. Selective attention to phobic stimulus