characteristics of phobias

• What three psychopathologies are focused on in this unit?

  Phobias, depression, and OCD
• How are the characteristics of phobias, depression, and OCD categorized?

  Behavioral, emotional, and cognitive characteristics
• What is a common behavior associated with phobias?

  Avoidance of the phobic object
• What is Arachnophobia?

  A fear of spiders
• What is claustrophobia?

  A fear of enclosed spaces
• What is avoidant behavior in the context of phobias?

  Physically adapting behavior to avoid phobic objects
• What physical response is associated with phobias?

  Panic response, such as screaming or hyperventilating
• How does a serious phobia affect daily functioning?

  It may prevent engagement in normal activities
• What emotional characteristic is common in phobias?

  High levels of anxiety
• How does anxiety manifest in individuals with phobias?

  Constant worry about future encounters
• What is the relationship between fear and phobias?

  Fear is an intense emotional state linked to phobias
• What cognitive characteristic do phobia sufferers exhibit?

  Exaggerated belief in harm from phobic objects
• How do phobias affect cognitive capacity?

  They reduce the ability to think and engage
• What is a defining feature of depression?

  A constant and long-lasting sense of sadness
• What behavioral change is common in individuals with depression?

  Decreased activity level and lethargy
• What is anhedonia?

  Inability to enjoy previously enjoyable activities
• What emotional characteristics are associated with depression?

  Sadness, guilt, and feelings of worthlessness
• How does depression affect concentration?

  It leads to poor concentration and indecisiveness
• What are negative schemas in depression?

  Automatic negative biases in thinking
• What does OCD stand for?

  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• What defines OCD?

  Obsessions and compulsions as responses
• What are compulsions in OCD?

  Behavioral responses to intrusive thoughts
• What is a common compulsion in OCD?

  Checking behaviors, like locking doors
• How do compulsions affect anxiety in OCD?

  They provide only temporary anxiety reduction
• What is hyper-vigilance in OCD?

  A constant state of alertness for dangers
• What cognitive characteristic is associated with OCD?

  Intrusive and irrational obsessive thoughts
• What is attentional bias in OCD?

  Focus on objects related to obsessions
• What are the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of phobias?

  • Behavioral: Avoidance, panic response, failure to function
  • Emotional: High anxiety, fear
  • Cognitive: Exaggerated beliefs about harm, reduced cognitive capacity
• What are the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of depression?

  • Behavioral: Decreased activity, anhedonia, poor hygiene
  • Emotional: Persistent sadness, guilt, feelings of worthlessness
  • Cognitive: Poor concentration, negative schemas
• What are the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of OCD?

  • Behavioral: Compulsions (checking, cleaning), avoidance
  • Emotional: Extreme anxiety, depression
  • Cognitive: Intrusive thoughts, hyper-vigilance, attentional bias