Phobias (behavioural, emotional and cognitive characteristics)

What is a Phobia?

A disorder characterised by high level of anxiety in response to a particular stimulus or a group of stimuli. The anxiety interferes with normal living.

List the top 3 phobias

Arachnophobia- spiders

Social phobia- Social or public situations

Aerophobia- flying

Outline the behavioural characteristics of phobias

Panice: e.g. crying, screaming or running away. Children may react slightly differently, for example by freezing, clinging or having a tantrum.

Avoidance: the sufferer tends to go a lot of effort to avoid coming into contact with the phobic stimulus to the point that it would interfere significantly with the person's normal routine, occupations, social activities or relationships. Someone with a fear of heights or try to avoid being in very high buildings

Endurance: the alternative to avoidance. They remain in the presence of the stimulus and continue to experience high levels of anxiety.

For example, someone with a fear of heights or try to avoid being in very high buildings.

Outline the emotion characteristics of phobias.

Anxiety: High arousal which prevents the sufferer from relaxing and makes it very difficult to experience any positive emotion.

Being unreasonable: the individual often suffers from a strong emotional response which is disproportionate to the danger posed.

For example, someone with a fear of height who was in a high building would find it difficult to feel relaxed and would make it very difficult to experience any positive emotions.

Outline the cognitive (thoughts) characteristics of phobias

Selective attention: if a sufferer can see the stimulus it is hard to look away from it and stop thinking about it.

Irrational beliefs: the individual often resists rational arguments. For example a person with a fear of flying is not helped by arguments that flying is actually the safest form of transport.

Cognitive distortions: the phobics perception of the stimulus may be distorted. For example a omphalophobic is likely to see belly buttons as ugly/disgusting.

For example, someone with a fear of heights would keep thinking about the dangers of being high up.