Characteristics of Phobias

• What are the behavioral characteristics of phobias?

  Panic, avoidance, endurance
• What is the emotional response associated with phobias?

  Extreme fear and anxiety when encountering the phobic stimulus
• How do cognitive characteristics manifest in phobias?

  Through irrational beliefs and selective attention
• What are the three main types of phobias according to DSM5?

  • Specific phobias
  • Social phobias
  • Agoraphobia
• What is a specific phobia?

  Fear of an object or situation
• What is a social phobia?

  Fear of social situations
• What is agoraphobia?

  Fear of being outside or in public spaces
• What is the panic response in phobias?

  Extreme distress and behaviors like crying or freezing
• What does avoidance mean in the context of phobias?

  Immediate behavioral response to avoid the feared object
• What is endurance in phobias?

  Containing emotions and remaining in proximity to the feared object
• How do irrational beliefs affect phobias?

  They lead to illogical thoughts about the feared object
• What is selective attention in phobias?

  Fixation on the feared object due to irrational thinking
• How do emotional, behavioral, and cognitive characteristics manifest in a person with a phobia of buttons?

  • Emotional: Feels fear/anxiety when seeing buttons
  • Behavioral: Avoids clothes with buttons and shops
  • Cognitive: Believes buttons will pinch and bruise
• What are the prevalence rates of phobias, depression, and OCD in the UK in 2009?

  Phobias 2.6%, Depression 2.6%, OCD 1.3%
• What distinguishes a phobia from a fear?

  A phobia is a persistent anxiety disorder interfering with daily living
• How are phobias categorized in the DSM5?

  As instances of irrational fears producing avoidance
• What is the role of the DSM5 in diagnosing phobias?

  It provides a classification system for mental illnesses
• What are the behavioral, emotional, and cognitive characteristics of phobias?

  • Behavioral: Panic, avoidance, endurance
  • Emotional: Extreme fear and anxiety
  • Cognitive: Irrational beliefs and selective attention