phobias

Question 1

name the DSM classification for phobias

Answer 1

specific phobia
social phobias
agoraphobia

Question 2

what are the cognitive characteristics for phobias

Answer 2

selective attention to phobic stimulus - if in sight hard to look away

irrational - spider will harm me, if i blush people may think i am weak

cognitive distortion - sees spiders as aliens

Question 3

what are the emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 3

anxiety - high levels of arousal when thinking or experiencing the stimulus e.g. anxiety when thinking about spider and fear when seeing a spider

disproportionate response - harmless, e.g. person who is afraid of spiders will have strong emotional response to tiny spider

Question 4

what are the behavioural characteristics for phobias

Answer 4

panic - crying, screaming

avoidance - staying at home to avoid going to a public toilet

endurance - fear of flying, staying under stimulus but under high anxiety