phobias

Question 1

behavioral characteristics of phobias

Answer 1

Panic
Avoidance
Endurance

Question 2

What physiological response occurs during panic in phobias

Answer 2

Heightened physiological arousal caused by the hypothalamus triggering the sympathetic nervous system

Question 3

avoidance behavior

Answer 3

Behavior carried out to avoid the unpleasant consequences of exposure to the phobic stimulus

Question 4

endurance in phobias

Answer 4

patient remains exposed to the phobic stimulus for an extended period while experiencing heightened anxiety

Question 5

main emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 5

Anxiety
Unawareness of irrational anxiety

Question 6

cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 6

Selective attention to the phobic stimulus
Irrational beliefs
Cognitive distortions

Question 7

selective attention

Answer 7

patient focuses on the phobic stimulus despite severe anxiety

Question 8

example of cognitive distortion in phobias

Answer 8

Mycophobia (phobia of mushrooms) or rectaphobia (phobia of bottoms)

Question 9

strengths

Answer 9

✅ Clear diagnostic criteria
→ Example: Characteristics like avoidance behaviour and irrational fear are easy to observe and identify.

✅ Consistent patterns
→ Example: Research has shown common behavioural (panic, avoidance), emotional (anxiety, fear), and cognitive (irrational beliefs) traits in phobia sufferers

Question 10

limitations

Answer 10

❌ Overlaps with other disorders
→ Example: Symptoms like anxiety occur in many mental health issues, making diagnosis harder.

❌ Subjective interpretation
→ Example: What counts as irrational or excessive fear can vary between individuals and cultures