Characteristics of phobias

How are disorders diagnosed?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorder (DSM)

Lists every mental disorder, symptoms, causes & symptoms

Behavioural

Ways in which people act

Emotional

Ways in which people feel

Cognitive

Refers to the process of thinking, knowing, perceiving and believing

What are phobias?

• Anxiety disorder

• Estimated 10% of population

• Long lasting & originate in childhood

• Aware of condition & irrational fear but cannot control it

Behavioural symptoms

• Avoidance / anxiety response - when presented with fear, high anxiety response & efforts made to avoid situation

• Disruption of functioning - anxiety so severe that it interferes with ability to conduct everyday functioning

Emotional symptoms

• Persistent & excessive fear - high levels of anxiety

• Fear from exposure to stimulus - immediate fear response/panic attacks

Cognitive symptoms

• Recognition of exaggerated fear - aware that anxiety levels are overstated & irrational

Simple phobias

• Specific phobias

• Specific things & environments

Social phobias

• Over anxious in social situations

• Perception of being judged and feeling inadequate

• Difficult to form meaningful situations