STRESS, PHOBIA AND ANXIETY

Question 1

Phobia

Answer 1

A persistent, irrational and intense fear of a particular object or event that results in avoiding that object. It is uncontrollable and impacts on the persons daily life. Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder.

Question 2

Anxiety

Answer 2

A state of physiological arousal associated with feelings of apprehension, worry or uneasiness that something is wrong or that something unpleasant is about to happen. Severe anxiety is usually accompanied by intense physiological responses, e.g. breathlessness, sweating, dizziness, feelings of losing control and impending doom.

Question 3

Stress

Answer 3

A state of psychological or physiological tension that occurs when a person’s ability to cope is strained or exceeded.

Question 4

Anxiety disorders

Answer 4

Anxiety disorders are a group of disorders that are characterised by chronic feelings of extreme apprehension, fear, stress and unease.

Question 5

Specific Phobia

Answer 5

Exposure to the phobic stimulus triggers an involuntary anxiety response similar to a stress response. Eg. increased heart and blood pressure, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, palpitations, hand tremors etc.

Question 6

Criteria of specific phobia

Answer 6

Criteria: Intense fear, irrational fear, avoids fear object, cannot control fear, fear interrupts daily functioning and overwhelming anxiety. According to the DSM-IV, a diagnosis is only made if the fear has persisted for at least 6 months.