phobias

• phobia

  A phobia is an irrational fear of an object or situation.
• Specific phobia-phobia of an object such as object or situation e.g flying

  Social phobia-phobia of a social situation e.g public speaking

  Agoraphobia-fear of being outside or in a public place
• behavioural characteristics

  Panic-crying,screaming,running away,freezing,fainting

  Avoidance-avoid coming into contact with the phobic stimulus

  Endurance-the person remains in presence of the phobic stimulus but experiences high levels of anxiety
• emotional characteristics

  Anxiety-unable to relax or feel positive emotions(long term)

  Fear-immediate response when presented with the phobic stimulus

  Most emotional responses are unreasonable and disproportionate to the actual danger presented by the phobic stimulus 
• cognitive characteristics

  Selective attention to the phobic stimulus

  Irrational beliefs

  Resistance to rational arguments