Behavioural , Emotional, Cognitive Characteristic Of PHOBIAS Flashcards
(7 cards)
What are phobias?
Phobias are anxiety disorders characterised by excessive fear and anxiety, triggered by an object, place, or situation. The fear is out of proportion to any real danger and interferes with normal routine.
Examples of common phobic stimuli include heights, enclosed spaces, and spiders.
What is the emotional characteristic of anxiety in phobias?
Anxiety is an unpleasant state of high arousal (feelings of worry/distress) experienced when encountering or thinking about the phobic stimulus, making it difficult to experience positive emotions.
What is an unreasonable emotional response in phobias?
The fear/terror experienced is often disproportionate to the actual danger posed by the phobic stimulus.
For example, an individual’s fear of spiders involves a strong emotional response to a tiny, harmless spider.
What are irrational beliefs in the context of phobias?
Irrational beliefs are illogical beliefs that do not make sense to others. Sufferers often hold these beliefs about phobic stimuli and resist rational arguments.
For example, a person with a fear of flying may not be reassured by arguments that flying is the safest form of transport.
What is selective attention in phobias?
Sufferers find it difficult to focus their attention away from the phobic stimulus, which can interfere with daily life.
For example, someone with a phobia of spiders may struggle to concentrate if they hear there might be a spider nearby.
What is avoidance in the behavioral characteristics of phobias?
Sufferers often go out of their way to avoid the phobic stimulus to reduce anxiety, significantly interfering with their normal day-to-day life.
For example, someone with social phobia might avoid social situations affecting their job or relationships.
What is panicking in the behavioral characteristics of phobias?
Sufferers often panic in response to phobic stimuli, which can manifest as crying, screaming, running away, or freezing.
