Phobias and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to phobias and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), including definitions and treatment approaches.

Agoraphobia

Fear of public places.

Social Phobia

Fear of public embarrassment.

Specific Phobia

A phobia characterized by an irrational fear of a specific object or situation.

Animal Type Phobia

A subtype of specific phobia involving fear of animals (e.g., Cynophobia - fear of dogs).

Preparedness Theory

The theory that proposes phobias are instinctual and not random.

Flooding

A behavioral therapy technique used for treating phobias involving exposure to the phobic stimulus until anxiety decreases.

One Session Treatment (OST)

A 3-hour single-session therapy for phobias with a high immediate effectiveness rate.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)

A psychiatric disorder characterized by excessive anxiety and uncontrollable worry lasting for more than 6 months.

Cognitive Therapy

A therapy aimed at changing dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors, commonly used in treating GAD.

Exposure Therapy

A behavioral treatment for phobias that involves gradual exposure to the fear source.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of psychotherapy effective for treating various anxiety disorders including panic and phobic disorders.