Characteristics of phobias

• 3 phobia subtypes


  - simple/specific

  - agoraphobia

  - social anxiety
• Behavioural characteristics of phobias


  - avoidance

  - panic

  - endurance
• Emotional characteristics of phobias


  - anxiety

  - fear

  - disproportionate emotional response to threat
• Cognitive characteristics of phobias


  - selective attention

  - irrational beliefs

  - cognitive distortions