Phobia Characteristics

What are the DSM-5 categories of phobias?

Specific, Social and agoraphobia

What is a phobia?

Phobias are categorised as an anxiety disorder which cause an irrational fear of particular object or situation out of proportion to any real danger presented by phobic stimulus

What is a specific phobia ?

It is the most common type of phobia. A person fears specific object, animal, situation or body part

What is a social phobia?

Feelings of anxiety in social situations. Sufferers will feel like they are being judged which leads to feelings of inadequacy.

What are the three categories of social phobia?

Performance phobias, interaction phobias and generalised

What are performance phobias?

Makes us feel anxious when performing in public such as eating in a restaurant with friends

What is a interaction phobia?

Result in feeling anxious when mixing with people such as answering questions

What is a generalised phobia?

Result in anxiety when other people are present e.g in a large crowd

What are the behavioural characteristics of phobias?

• Avoidance

• Panic

• Endurance

What are the emotional characteristics of phobias?

• Anxiety

• Fear

• Excessive and unreasonable fear

What are the cognitive characteristics of phobias?

• Selective attention

• Irrational beliefs

• Cognitive distortions

What are cognitive distortions?

Perceptions are inaccurate and unrealistic → includes catastrophic thinking