Phobias Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is a phobia?
An irrational fear of an object or situation.
What are the three types of characteristics used to describe phobias?
Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive characteristics.
What are the DSM-5 categories of phobia?
• Specific phobia: fear of objects (e.g. spiders) or situations (e.g. flying).
• Social anxiety (social phobia): fear of social situations.
• Agoraphobia: fear of being outside or in public places.
What is panic in relation to phobias?
A response to the presence of the phobic stimulus involving behaviours like crying, screaming, or running away. Children may freeze, cling or throw tantrums.
What is avoidance in relation to phobias?
When a sufferer actively tries to avoid the phobic stimulus, which can disrupt daily life.
What is endurance in relation to phobias?
Remaining in the presence of the phobic stimulus while still experiencing high anxiety, often unavoidable (e.g. on an aeroplane).
What is anxiety in phobias?
A long-term unpleasant state of high arousal preventing relaxation or positive emotion.
What is fear in phobias?
The immediate, intense emotional response when encountering or thinking about the phobic stimulus.
Why are emotional responses in phobias seen as unreasonable?
They are disproportionate to the actual danger posed by the stimulus (e.g., intense fear of a harmless spider).
What is selective attention in phobias?
The inability to look away from the phobic stimulus, even if it interferes with tasks.
What are irrational beliefs in phobias?
False or exaggerated beliefs, e.g. “If I blush, people will think I’m weak.”
What are cognitive distortions in phobias?
Misperceptions of the phobic stimulus, e.g., seeing belly buttons as disgusting or snakes as aggressive.
