Characteristics of phobias

• What is anxiety as an emotional characteristic in relation to phobic stimuli?

  An uncomfortably high and persistent state of arousal, making it very difficult to relax and experience positive emotion. There is heightened anxiety when the individual is likely to encounter the phobia.
• How does fear manifest as an emotional characteristic when encountering a phobic stimulus?

  An intense and immediate emotional state linked to the fight- or- flight response. A sensation of extreme and unpleasant alertness in the presence or thought of the phobia that only subsides when the phobic object is removed.
• Why is the emotional response to a phobic stimulus considered unreasonable?

  It is disproportionate to the actual threat they are exposed to.
• How can a person with arachnophobias' emotional response to a tiny spider be considered unreasonable?

  They will have a strong emotional response to something which doesn't represent actual threat.
• What is avoidance as a behavioural characteristic in relation to phobic stimuli?

  Physically adapting normal behaviour to create considerable effort into preventing contact with phobic objects. (e.g crossing the street)
• How can avoidance behaviour affect daily life?

  It can make everyday life difficult
• What is endurance as a behavioural characteristic in the context of phobias?

  An alternative behaviour to avoidance, involves remaining with the phobic stimulus and continuing to experience anxiety. This can make it difficult to take part in activities required to perform a normal life (e.g going to work/ education/ social events).
• What does selective attention as a cognitive characteristic to a phobic stimulus involve?

  The prevention of an individual from concentrating on their daily activities such as work due to the dominating thoughts and excessive attentional focus on the phobic objects. This can lead them to have constant concerns about potential danger they feel they are in.
• What are irrational beliefs as a cognitive characteristic in the context of phobias?

  Negative and irrational mental processes that are not grounded in reality which include an exaggerated belief in the harm the phobic object could cause them.
• What are cognitive distortions as a cognitive characteristic in relation to phobias?

  The way a person sees their phobic stimulus may be distorted (i.e perceived threat where it doesn't exist)
• What is panic as a behavioural characteristic in the context of phobias?

  An uncontrollable physical response which is most likely to happen at the sudden appearance of the phobic object (e.g screaming, hyperventilating, running away, freezing, crying)