Characteristics of Phobias

• Behavioral Characteristics of Phobias

  • Avoidance: Individuals may alter their routes or activities to avoid the phobic object or situation
  • Panic Responses: Including screaming, hyperventilating, or fleeing when encountering the phobic object
  • Disruption in Functioning: Significant phobias can impair normal functioning, restricting activities or social interactions
• Emotional Characteristics of Phobias

  • Anxiety: A persistent state of high arousal worrying about encountering the phobic object
  • Fear: Intense, unpleasant feeling triggered by the phobic object or situation
• Cognitive Characteristics of Phobias

  • Irrational Beliefs: Overestimation of the danger posed by the phobic object
  • Selective Attention: Excessive focus on the phobic object when present
• Behavioral Characteristics of Depression

  • Activity Level Changes: Decreased energy and withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities (anhedonia)
  • Changes in Personal Habits: Notable shifts in eating habits and personal care
• Emotional Characteristics of Depression

  • Persistent Sadness: Long-lasting and profound sadness
  • Feelings of Guilt and Worthlessness: Strong, negative self-assessment
• Cognitive Characteristics of Depression

  • Negative Schemas: Pervasive negative thoughts about oneself, the environment, and the future
  • Poor Concentration and Indecisiveness: Difficulty focusing and making decisions
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)


  A mental health condition characterized by intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors
• Behavioral Characteristics of OCD

  • Compulsions: Repetitive behaviors (e.g., checking, cleaning) aimed at reducing anxiety but typically only providing temporary relief
  • Avoidance: Steering clear of situations that trigger obsessive thoughts
• Emotional Characteristics of OCD

  • High Anxiety: Continuous and intense anxiety driven by obsessive thoughts
  • Depression: Resulting from feelings of helplessness about controlling one's thoughts or behaviors
• Cognitive Characteristics of OCD

  • Obsessions: Persistent, unwanted, and distressing thoughts
  • Hyper Vigilance: Constant alertness to threats related to the obsession, such as contamination fears
  • Selective Attention: Focused attention on potential sources of contamination or danger, leading to impaired ability to engage in other activities
• Phobia


  A type of anxiety disorder characterized by an excessive and irrational fear response to a specific object, situation, or activity
• Phobia


  • The fear is disproportionate to the actual danger posed
  • Can cause significant distress and impairment in daily functioning
  • Individuals often go to great lengths to avoid the feared object or situation
  • Can trigger panic attacks in severe cases
• Depression


  A common and serious mood disorder that affects how a person feels, thinks, and handles daily activities
• Depression


  • Persistent feeling of sadness
  • Lack of interest or pleasure in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities
  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Decreased energy
  • Feelings of worthlessness or excessive guilt
  • Difficulty thinking or concentrating
  • Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)


  An anxiety disorder characterized by recurring, unwanted thoughts, ideas, or sensations (obsessions) that drive an individual to perform repetitive actions or rituals (compulsions)
• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)


  • Compulsions are performed with the intention of preventing or reducing anxiety or a dreaded event
  • Compulsions are not realistically connected to the problem they are intended to fix
  • Compulsions can be extremely time-consuming, thereby significantly interfering with the individual's daily activities and social interactions