Characteristics of phobias, depression & OCD

• • Phobias = irrational fear of an object or a situation. Extent of the fear is out of proportion to the real danger. DSM recognises phobias as a type of anxiety disorder, some people may avoid the thing that's causing them anxiety.
• • Specific = object, animal, body part etc.
  • Social = social situation e.g. public speaking
  • Agoraphobia = being outside/public place
• Characteristics of Phobias -

  • Behavioural: Panic, Avoidance, Endurance
  • Emotional: Anxiety, Unreasonable emotional responses
  • Cognitive: Cognitive distortions, irrational beliefs, selective attention to phobic stimulus.
• Characteristics of depression -

  • Behavioural: low activity levels, disruption to sleeping + eating behaviour (insomnia/hypersomnia), aggression + self-harm.
  • Emotional: lowered mood, anger, lowered self-esteem.
  • Cognitive: poor concentration, catastrophising + absolutist thinking.
  • All forms of depression & depressive disorders are characterised by changes to mood.
• Characteristics of OCD -

  characterised by obsessions (cognitions) &/or compulsions (behaviours). Involves anxiety.

  • Behavioural: compulsions, avoidance
  • Emotional: anxiety, distress, accompanying depression (co-morbidity), guilt + disgust.
  • Cognitive: obsessive thoughts, insight into excessive anxiety.
  • ->Obsessive thought -> anxiety -> compulsive behaviour -> temporary relief
• Behavioural Characteristics of Depression -

  • change in activity levels – increased lethargy (lack of energy)/ withdrawal from activities that were once enjoyed (anhedonia); neglecting personal hygiene; increased activity levels/agitation
  • disruption to sleep – sleep may reduce (insomnia) or increase (hypersomnia)
  • disruption to eating behaviour – increased or decreased eating/weight gain or loss
  • aggressive acts – towards others or oneself, e.g. self-harm.
• Cognitive Characteristics of OCD -

  • obsessive thoughts – persistent and intrusive thoughts of, eg germs
  • hypervigilance/selective attention – increased awareness of source of obsession in new situations
  • insight into excessive anxiety
  • cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
• Behavioural Characteristics of Depression -

  • changes in sleep patterns: sleeping less (insomnia)/sleeping more (hypersomnia)
  • changes in eating patterns: eating more/eating less
  • social withdrawal
  • reduced movement
  • reduced speech.