psychopathology - phobias Flashcards
define phobias
an irrational fear of an object or situation.
what dose the DSM-5 say about phobias
the fear is out of proportion to any real danger presented by the phobic stimulus.
Specific phobia
Social anxiety
Agoraphobia
what are the behavioural characteristics of Phobias
panic: crying, screaming or running away
avoidance: prevent contact with the phobic stimulus
endurance: remaining with the phobic stimulus and continuing to experience anxiety
what are the emotional characteristics
Anxiety: an unpleasant state of high arousal
Fear: immediate and extremely unpleasant response
Emotional response is unreasonable: fear is disproportionate to any threat posed
what are cognitive characteristics
selective attention to phobic stimulus: finds it hard to look away from the phobic stimulus
irrational beliefs: person may hold unfounded thoughts in relation to phobic stimuli
cognitive distortion: perceptions of a person with a phobia may be inaccurate and unrealistic.