Phobias

What are the three main categories of phobia?

1. Specific Phobia (e.g., of an object or situation like animals or flying)

2. Social Anxiety (Social Phobia) (e.g., of social situations like public speaking)

3. Agoraphobia (e.g., of being outside or in a public place)

What are the three key behavioural characteristics of phobias?

1. Panic (e.g., crying, screaming, running away)

2. Avoidance (making effort to avoid the phobic stimulus)

3. Endurance (remaining in the presence of the stimulus with high anxiety)

What is the primary emotional response in a phobia?

Anxiety - an unpleasant state of high arousal that prevents relaxation.

How does 'fear' differ from 'anxiety' in phobias?

Fear is the immediate, intense response to the phobic stimulus; anxiety is a more long-term, general state of unease.

Why is the emotional response in a phobia considered unreasonable?

The anxiety or fear is excessive and disproportionate to the actual threat posed by the stimulus (e.g., intense fear of a tiny spider).

What is meant by 'selective attention' in phobias?

When a person finds it hard to look away from the phobic stimulus, which can interfere with their ability to focus on anything else.

What are 'irrational beliefs' in the context of phobias?

Unfounded thoughts related to the phobic stimulus (e.g., "If I blush, people will think I'm weak" in social phobia).

What are 'cognitive distortions'?

Inaccurate and unrealistic perceptions of the phobic stimulus (e.g., seeing a snake as alien and aggressive-looking).