Psychopathology : Phobias

Question 1

what is a phobia?

Answer 1

an irrational fear of an object or situation

Question 2

what are all phobias characterised by?

Answer 2

excessive fear + anxiety triggered by an object plate or situation
extent of fear out of proportion to any real danger proposed by phobic stimulus

Question 3

what are the 3 categories the latest version of the DSM-5 recognises of phobia and related anxiety disorder?

Answer 3

specific phobia
social anxiety
agoraphobia

Question 4

what is a specific phobia?

Answer 4

phobia of an object or situation

Question 5

what is social anxiety (social phobia)?

Answer 5

phobia of social situation

Question 6

what is agoraphobia?

Answer 6

phobia of being outside or in a public place

Question 7

what are 3 behavioural characteristics of phobias?

Answer 7

panic
avoidance
endurance

Question 8

name 3 behaviours of ‘panic’

Answer 8

crying screaming running away

Question 9

when does ‘endurance’ occur?

Answer 9

when person chooses to remain in presence of phobic stimulus

Question 10

name 3 emotional characteristics of phobias

Answer 10

anxiety
fear
unreasonable emotional response

Question 11

define ‘fear’

Answer 11

the immediate and extremely unpleasant response experienced when a phobic stimulus is encountered or thought about

Question 12

name 3 cognitive characteristics of phobias

Answer 12

selective attention
irrational beliefs
cognitive distortions