Characteristics of phobias

• What are phobias?

  -An extreme and irrational fear of an object place or situation
• What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

  -Avoidance = Physically adopting normal behaviour to avoid phobic objects e.g. crossing the street

  -Panic = An uncontrollable physical response, and its most likely to happen at the sudden appearance of the phobic object e.g. screaming, hyperventilating, running

  -Failure to function = Difficulty taking part i activities required to perform a normal life e.g. going to work/education/social events
• What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

  -Anxiety = An uncomfortably high and persistent rate of arousal, making it difficult to relax. --Heightened anxiety when the individual is likely to encounter the phobia

  -Fear = An intense emotional state linked to the fight-or-flight response --A sensation of extreme and unpleasant alertness in the presence of the phobia that only subsides when the phobic object is removed
• What are the Cognitive characteristics of phobias?

  -Irrational thoughts = Negative and irrational mental processes that include an exaggerated belief in the harm the phobic object could cause them

  -Reduced cognitive capacity = People with a phobia cannot concentrate on day-to-day activities such as work due to the excessive attentional focus on the phobic objects and constant concerns about potential danger they feel they are in