Characteristics Of Phobias, Depression, OCD Flashcards
(17 cards)
What are all phobias characterised by?
Excessive fear and anxiety triggered by an object, place or situation
What is a specific phobia?
A phobia of an object or situation
What is a social phobia?
A phobia of social situations (social anxiety)
What is agoraphobia?
Phobia of being outside or in a public place
What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?
Panic (crying, screaming, running away)
Avoidance ( avoiding coming into contact with the phobic stimulus)
Endurance (sufferer remains in the presence of the phobic stimulus but continues to experience high levels of anxiety)
What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?
Anxiety — prevents the sufferer relaxing and makes it hard to experience any positive emotion
How is the fear we experience to phobias different to any other fear?
It is irrational
It is out of proportion to the phobic stimulus
What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?
Selective attention (not looking away)
Irrational beliefs
Cognitive distortions
What does the DSM-5 recognise as the 4 categories of depression/depressive disorders?
Major depressive disorder
(severe but often short term depression)
Persistent depressive disorder
(Long term or recurring depression)
Disruptive mood disregulation disorder
(Childhood temper tantrums)
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
(Disruption to mood prior to and/or during menstruation)
What are the behavioural characteristics of depression?
Low activity levels
Disruption to sleep and eating behaviour
Aggression and self-harm
What are the emotional characteristics of depression?
Lowered mood
Anger
Lowered self esteem
What are the cognitive characteristics of depression?
Poor concentration
Dwelling on the negative
Absolutist thinking
What is OCD characterised by?
Obsessions and/or compulsions
What are the behavioural characteristics of OCD?
Compulsions
Avoidance (avoiding situations that trigger it)
What are the emotional characteristics of OCD?
Anxiety and distress
Accompanying depression
Guilt and disgust
What are the cognitive characteristics of OCD?
Obsessive thoughts
Cognitive strategies to deal with obsessions
Insight into excessive anxiety (aware behaviour is not rational)
What is the OCD cycle?
A continuous loop of obsessive thoughts, anxiety, compulsive behaviours, and temporary relief
