The behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics

• What are the three domains for understanding mental disorders?

  Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive
• What are the key characteristics of phobias?

  • Intense, irrational fear of specific objects/situations
  • Marked avoidance of the phobic stimulus
• What is the most prominent behavioural characteristic of phobias?

  Avoidance of the phobic stimulus
• How does avoidance impact daily life for individuals with phobias?

  It can severely impact daily life
• What might an individual experience in the presence of a phobic stimulus?

  Panic, such as crying or freezing
• What does endurance mean in the context of phobias?

  Enduring the stimulus with extreme anxiety
• What emotional characteristics are associated with phobias?

  High anxiety and fear levels
• What are panic attacks in relation to phobias?

  Intense episodes of fear with physical symptoms
• What is a significant emotional response to phobias?

  Distress and a sense of dread
• What cognitive characteristic involves irrational beliefs in phobias?

  Beliefs not based on reality
• What is selective attention in the context of phobias?

  Fixating on the phobic threat
• How do individuals with phobias perceive the threat?

  As more threatening than it actually is
• What are the key characteristics of depression?

  • Persistent low mood
  • Loss of pleasure or interest in activities
• What is a common behavioural characteristic of depression related to activity levels?

  Reduced activity or agitation
• What are the sleep disruptions associated with depression?

  Insomnia or hypersomnia
• How does depression affect eating habits?

  Significant changes in appetite
• What emotional characteristics are common in depression?

  Persistent sadness and feelings of hopelessness
• What is anhedonia in the context of depression?

  Loss of pleasure from previously enjoyed activities
• What cognitive characteristic involves negative thoughts in depression?

  Preoccupation with negative events
• What is Beck's Negative Triad?

  Negative views about oneself, the world, and future
• What is absolutist thinking in depression?

  Viewing situations in black and white terms
• What are the key characteristics of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)?

  • Persistent intrusive thoughts (obsessions)
  • Repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions)
• What are compulsions in OCD?

  Repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety
• How do individuals with OCD respond to obsessions?

  By performing compulsions to reduce anxiety
• What emotional characteristics are associated with OCD?

  High anxiety and distress
• What feelings are often associated with OCD?

  Guilt, shame, or disgust
• What cognitive characteristic involves intrusive thoughts in OCD?

  Obsessions causing significant anxiety
• What is catastrophic thinking in OCD?

  Exaggerated beliefs about consequences of actions
• What insight do individuals with OCD typically have?

  They recognize their obsessions are unreasonable
• What does hyper-vigilance mean in OCD?

  Excessive attentiveness to potential threats
• What is the significance of understanding mental disorders?

  • First step in explaining mental health conditions
  • Essential for effective treatment approaches