Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Question 1

Phobias

Answer 1

A phobia can be defined as an ‘extreme and irrational fear of a specific stimulus that produces a conscious avoidance of the source of the fear’.

We all experience anxiety and fear in particular situations but this does not necessarily amount to a phobia. Experiencing fear in some situations can be useful as it protects us from danger; however, for individuals with a phobia this fear response is irrational and maladaptive.

Question 2

Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 2

Behavioural:
* Avoidance of the feared
object/situation
* Fainting or freezing when presented with the feared object/situation
* These behaviours interfere with other daily activities

Emotional:
* Excessive, unreasonable and persistent fear, anxiety and panic
* These feelings are in response to the presence/anticipation of the feared object/situation

Cognitive:
* Recognition of the irrational nature of their fear
* Can’t be helped by rational argument
* Selective attention to the phobic
stimulus

Question 3

Depression

Answer 3

Depression can be defined as ‘a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest’.
We all experience low mood from time to time but this does not necessarily amount to depression. The symptoms of depression are complex and will vary greatly between individuals. Generally speaking, individuals with depression feel sad, hopeless and lose interest in activities they once enjoyed.

Question 4

Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of depression

Answer 4

Behavioural:
* Reduced energy and tiredness or
increased activity
and restlessness
* Some may sleep more than usual
whereas others might experience insomnia
* Appetite might be reduced whereas others eat more than usual
* Irritable and in some cases verbally or physically aggressive

Emotional:
* Sad, empty, hopeless and worthless
* Loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities/hobbies
* Anger towards other or directed inwards on the self
* Low self-esteem

Cognitive:
* Negative thoughts that do not reflect reality (irrational)
* Irrational focus on ‘should’, ‘ought’, ‘must’
* Poor levels of concentration and poor decision making

Question 5

OCD

Answer 5

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be defined as ‘a mental health condition where a person has obsessive thoughts and compulsive activity’.
We all find ourselves double checking things from time to time.

For example, you might double check to make sure you locked
your front door or that you turned off your straighteners. But
people with OCD feel the need to check things repeatedly, or have certain thoughts or perform routines and rituals over and over. The thoughts and rituals associated with OCD cause distress and get in the way of daily life because they cannot be controlled.

Question 6

Behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics of OCD

Answer 6

Behavioural:
* Repetitive behaviours
(compulsions) are performed to reduce anxiety. These are external actions which can be observed
* Avoidance of situations that might trigger anxiety in accordance with above

Emotional:
* Anxiety and distress are created by both the obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours
* Shame and embarrassment over the excessive nature of their behaviour

Cognitive:
* Recurrent, intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts (obsessions) These are internal processes which cannot be directly observed.
* Irrational and distorted beliefs
* Obsessions are recognised at some point as being irrational excessive