Phobias

Question 1

what is a Phobia

Answer 1

a irrational fear of an object , place or situation

Question 2

Outline DSM-5 Categories of Phobia

Answer 2

All phobias are characterised by excessive fear & anxiety triggered by object, place or situation
Specific phobia-phobia of object such as animal or situation such as flying
Social phobia(anxiety)-phobia of social interactions-public speaking
>agoraphobia-Phobia of being outside

Question 3

Outline Behavioural characteristics of Phobia

Behavioural characteristics-ways in which people act

Answer 3

• Panic- A person with a phobia may panic in response to the phobic stimulus, could result in displaying behaviours; crying, screaming, running
• avoidance-person will try & prevent coming into contact with phobic stimulus
• endurance- person remains exposed to the phobic stimulus for
  an extended period of time

Question 4

Outline Emotional Characteristics of Phobia

Emotional characteristics-how person feels

Answer 4

• Emotional responses: being unreasonable and irrational, the emotional response felt by the sufferer is disproportionate to the danger they are facing
• Anxiety: A person with a phobia will suffer from anxiety, which is an unpleasant state of high arousal & this state stops the person from being able to relax or feel any other emotion
• Fear: The person’s immediate emotion when coming into contact with the phobia is fear

Question 5

Outline Cognitive characteristics of Phobia
(process information)

How person thinks

Answer 5

> Selective attention to phobic stimulus-this means that the person remains focused on the phobic stimulus, even when it is causing them severe anxiety.

>Irrational beliefs-ppl with phobia have unfounded thoughts about phobic stimulus

> cognitive distortions- perceptions of ppls phobia unrealistic