Mental Disorders - Phobias

Mental disorders

Characterised by the significant of an individuals cognition (thinking), emotion (feeling) and behaviour (doing).

Phobias

An irrational, persistent and overwhelming fear of a specific object or situation. The extent of this fear is out of proportion to any real danger presented. The DSM-5 recognises three types of phobia: Specific phobia, social phobia + agoraphobia. 

The Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders - DSM-5

A diagnostic manual created by clinical psychologists to help accurately diagnose mental disorders. Used in the UK and is the most updated version.

The International Classification of Diseases - ICD-10

A diagnostic manual created by clinical psychologist to help accurately diagnose mental disorders. Used internationally and is the most updated version.

Specific Phobia

Sufferer shows an irrational, persistent and overwhelming fear of a specific object or situation. Most common phobia. Even thinking about the specific situation or object causes anxiety, which can have a detrimental effect on quality of life.

Examples of specific phobias

Animal types, natural environmental types, blood-injection types, situational types, other types. 

Social Phobia

Sufferer shows an irrational, persistent and overwhelming fear of social situations. This is a complex phobia that usually begins in adolescence, often with no obvious trigger. Even thinking about social situations causes sufferers anxiety.

Examples of social phobia

Meeting strangers, talking in groups, starting conversations, speaking on the telephone, eating and drinking with company.

Agoraphobia

Sufferer shows an irrational, persistent and overwhelming fear of being in a place or situation (that it would be difficult or embarrassing to get out of OR they might not be able to get help if they had a panic attack). This is a complex phobia and the least common. Even thinking about public places can cause the sufferer anxiety. This results in avoidance which can have seriously detrimental effects on quality of life as sufferers often fear leaving home.

Avoidance

When an individual goes to extreme lengths to avoid the subject of their phobia (e.g. specific animal types or leaving home). This can have a serious detrimental effect on the quality of life. (e.g. can’t go shopping as fear leaving home → reliant on others to survive).

Emotional characteristics of Phobias

There are two main ones: anxiety (persistent state of anxiety that is heightened when in a place associated with the feared stimulus - this makes it difficult for sufferers to relax or experience positive emotion) and fear (is irrational and overwhelming - an immediate response in anticipation/the presence of the feared stimulus).

Anxiety disorders

A group of mental disorders (including phobias) that share primary symptoms of extreme anxiety.

Cognitive Characteristics of Phobias

There are two main characteristics: Irrational thinking (sufferers hold irrational beliefs in relation to their feared stimulus and are resistant to rational arguments) and recognition of irrational thinking (generally they do recognise their fear level is overstated)

Behavioural characteristics of Phobias

The two main characteristics are: avoidance (avoiding a feared stimulus which can have serious detrimental effect on the quality of life as it interferes with their normal routine, occupation, social activities and relationships - this causes distress) and Endurance (an alternative response when the sufferer chooses to remain in the presence of their feared stimulus - they have heightened awareness of the stimulus).