disorder characteristics

• define phobia

  irrational fear of an object or situation
• what are the 3 DSM-5 categories of phobia?

  1. specific
  2. social
  3. agoraphobia
• outline the 3 behavioural characteristics of phobias


  1. panic - response to presence of phobic stimulus
  2. avoidance - put effort into avoiding coming into contact with the stimulus
  3. endurance - remain in presence of stimulus with high levels of anxiety
• explain the 2 emotional characteristics of phobias


  1. anxiety - prevents relaxing and fear is immediate
  2. unreasonable - emotional response is disproportionate to the danger
• what are the 3 cognitive characteristics of phobias?


  1. selective attention - keep attention on phobic stimulus
  2. irrational beliefs - increases pressure in relation to phobic stimuli
  3. cognitive distortions - perception of stimulus is distorted
• define depression

  mental disorder characterised by low mood and low energy levels
• what are the 4 DSM-5 categories of depression?

  1. major depressive
  2. persistent depression
  3. disruptive mood dysregulation
  4. premenstrual dysphoric
• outline the 3 behavioural characteristics of depression


  1. activity levels - reduced making them lethargic but could have psychomotor agitation (struggle to relax)
  2. disruption to sleep & appetite - insomnia (reduced sleep) or hypersomnia (increased sleep), increased or decreased appetite
  3. aggression & self-harm - irritable so verbally or physically aggressive towards others or themselves
• explain the 3 emotional characteristics of depression


  1. low mood - experience of lethargic and sad
  2. anger - extreme anger directed at self or others
  3. low self-esteem - self-loathing
• what are the 3 cognitive characteristics of depression?


  1. poor concentration - poor decision making and unable to focus
  2. dwell on negative - pay attention to negative aspects of situation, bias recall of unhappy events
  3. absolutist thinking - "black and white", unfortunate situation is a disaster
• define obsessive-compulsive disorder

  condition characterised by obsessions and compulsive behaviour
• what are the 4 DSM-5 categories of OCD?

  1. OCD
  2. trichotillomania
  3. hoarding
  4. excoriation disorder
• outline the 2 behavioural characteristics of OCD


  1. compulsions - repetitive to reduce anxiety produced by obsessions
  2. avoidance - reduce anxiety by avoiding situations that trigger it
• explain the 3 emotional characteristics of OCD


  1. anxiety & distress - thoughts are unpleasant, overwhelming and frightening
  2. depression - low mood and lack of enjoyment in activities
  3. guilt & disgust - irrational guilt and disgust towards external things or themself
• what are the 3 cognitive characteristics of OCD?

  1. obsessive thoughts - 90% suffer from recurring unpleasant thoughts
  2. cognitive strategies - manage anxiety to distract them
  3. excessive anxiety - catastrophic thoughts about worst case scenario