Behavioural, emotional, and cognitive charactersistics of phobias, depresion, and OCD

what are some behavioural characteristics of phobias?

• avoidance of the phobic stimulus

• panic when in contact with phobic stimulus

• endurance (remaining in presence of phobic stimulus)

what are some behavioural characteristics of depression?

• reduced energy/activity levels

• struggle to relax

• disruption to sleep + eating (insomnia)

• aggression and self harm

what are some behavioural characteristics of OCD?

• Compulsions (repetitive behaviours performed to reduce the anxiety produced by the obsessions)

• Avoidance of situations that trigger OCD

what are some emotional characteristics of phobias?

• extreme anxiety and fear that is unreasonable and disproportionate to threat/PS

what are some emotional characteristics of depression?

Lowered mood (feeling worthless/empty)

Anger (self/others)

Lowered self-esteem

what are some emotional characteristics of OCD?

• Anxiety and distress (urge to carry out compulsions creates anxiety)

• Co-morbid with Depression (low mood+lack of pleasure in activities as they are interrupted by OCD)

• Guilt and disgust (irrational guilt over minor moral issues and disgust at themselves or something external)

what are some cognitive characteristics of phobias?

• Selective attention fixated on phobic stimulus

• irrational beliefs & cognitive distortions

what are some cognitive characteristics of depression?

• poor concentration

• focusing on negative

• absolutist thinking

what are some cognitive characteristics of OCD?

• obsessive unpleasant thoughts

• cognitive coping strategies

• catastrophic thoughts

• hyper vigilance