psychopathology: phobias

Question 1

What is a phobia?

Answer 1

An extreme or irrational fear triggered by an object, place or situation

Question 2

What are the categories of phobia recognised by the DSM-5 ?

Answer 2

• Agoraphobia: fear of being trapped in a public space where escape is difficult
• Social phobia: anxiety related to social situations
• Specific phobias: fear about specific situations

Question 3

What is DSM-5 an abbreviation for?

Answer 3

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition)

Question 4

What is the DSM-5?

Answer 4

A classification system and diagnostic tool of mental disorders produced by the APA
- it lists 157 mental disorders with criteria for diagnosis

Question 5

What is the DSM-5 classification for specific phobias?

Answer 5

• Marked and persistent fear that is excessive and unreasonable
• exposure to phobic stimulus provokes immediate anxious response
• the person recognises the fear is excessive
• the phobic situation is avoided
• the phobia disrupts a normal person’s life
• the phobia has lasted more than 6 months (under 18 years)

Question 6

What are the three characteristics of phobias?

Answer 6

• Behavioural
• Emotional
• Cognitive

Question 7

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 7

• Avoidance
• Panic
• Failure to function

Question 8

What is avoidance?

Answer 8

Physically adapting normal behaviour to avoid phobic objects

Question 9

What is panic?

Answer 9

An uncontrollable physical response and its more likely to happen at the sudden appearance of the phobic object
- e.g. crying, screaming, freezing or running away

Question 10

What is failure to function?

Answer 10

Difficulty taking part in activities required to perform a normal life

Question 11

What are emotional characteristics of phobias?

Answer 11

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Panic

Question 12

What is anxiety?

Answer 12

Phobias are classed as anxiety disorders
- an unpleasant state of high arousal, making it difficult to relax

Question 13

What is fear?

Answer 13

An intense emotional state linked to the fight or flight response
- a sensation of extreme and unpleasant alertness in the presence of the phobia

Question 14

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

Answer 14

• Irrational beliefs
• Selective attention/fixation
• Cognitive distortions

Question 15

What are irrational beliefs?

Answer 15

Include an exaggerated belief in the harm the phobic object could cause them

Question 16

What is selective attention/fixation?

Answer 16

Focuses attention on the phobic stimulus

Question 17

What is cognitive distortion?

Answer 17

The perceptions of a person with a phobia may be inaccurate and unrealistic