Phobias, depression and OCD
PHOBIA- Is an irrational fear of an object or situation
Behavioural characteristics of a Phobia- We respond to things or situations we fear
by behaving in particular ways. There are a number of things we do when we experience
phobias including:
Panic- A phobic person may panic in response to the presence of a phobic stimulus. This
may involve a range of behaviour such as crying, screaming, running away also freezing or
even fainting due to the situation or object.
Avoidance- (Negative reinforcement of a phobia) the sufferer may avoid coming into
contact with the phobic stimulus. (E.g. a person who fears social situations is seen to actively
avoid groups of people). This can affect and limit/interfere with work, education and social
life.
Endurance- Is when the sufferer remains in the presence of the phobic stimulus, but
continues to feel and remain highly anxious. Generally, occurs when a phobia is
unavoidable, for example for a person who has a fear of flying.
Emotional characteristics of a phobia- The way in which people feel
Anxiety and fear- Phobias are classified as anxiety disorders. The emotional response of
anxiety and fear, prevents sufferers from relaxing and makes it difficult to feel positive at all.
Anxiety can be a long-term thing where it is felt even after the stimulus goes away.
Fear- Is the immediate experience when a phobic encounter or thinks about the phobic
stimulus. Fear leads to anxiety
Unreasonable emotional responses- Fears go beyond what is reasonable. People
emotional responses/ thoughts are wildly out of proportion/ disproportionate, this makes
them feel extremely anxious in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
Cognitive characteristics of phobias- Relates to the way in which people process
information to do with the phobic stimuli, as people with phobias process info about phobic
stimuli differently.
Selective attention to the phobic stimulus- Sufferers find it hard to look away from the
phobic stimulus. This allows us to act quickly to what we believe is a threat, but not so
useful when the fear is irrational.
Irrational beliefs- People have irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus. (For example.
if I blush people will think I’m weak.) Puts pressure on the sufferer and makes them uneasy.
Cognitive distortion- People see the phobic stimuli in another way. Its perceived
differently to how it actually looks. (For example, a ophidiophobic may see snakes as alien
and aggressive looking)
PHOBIA- Is an irrational fear of an object or situation
Behavioural characteristics of a Phobia- We respond to things or situations we fear
by behaving in particular ways. There are a number of things we do when we experience
phobias including:
Panic- A phobic person may panic in response to the presence of a phobic stimulus. This
may involve a range of behaviour such as crying, screaming, running away also freezing or
even fainting due to the situation or object.
Avoidance- (Negative reinforcement of a phobia) the sufferer may avoid coming into
contact with the phobic stimulus. (E.g. a person who fears social situations is seen to actively
avoid groups of people). This can affect and limit/interfere with work, education and social
life.
Endurance- Is when the sufferer remains in the presence of the phobic stimulus, but
continues to feel and remain highly anxious. Generally, occurs when a phobia is
unavoidable, for example for a person who has a fear of flying.
Emotional characteristics of a phobia- The way in which people feel
Anxiety and fear- Phobias are classified as anxiety disorders. The emotional response of
anxiety and fear, prevents sufferers from relaxing and makes it difficult to feel positive at all.
Anxiety can be a long-term thing where it is felt even after the stimulus goes away.
Fear- Is the immediate experience when a phobic encounter or thinks about the phobic
stimulus. Fear leads to anxiety
Unreasonable emotional responses- Fears go beyond what is reasonable. People
emotional responses/ thoughts are wildly out of proportion/ disproportionate, this makes
them feel extremely anxious in the presence of the phobic stimulus.
Cognitive characteristics of phobias- Relates to the way in which people process
information to do with the phobic stimuli, as people with phobias process info about phobic
stimuli differently.
Selective attention to the phobic stimulus- Sufferers find it hard to look away from the
phobic stimulus. This allows us to act quickly to what we believe is a threat, but not so
useful when the fear is irrational.
Irrational beliefs- People have irrational beliefs about the phobic stimulus. (For example.
if I blush people will think I’m weak.) Puts pressure on the sufferer and makes them uneasy.
Cognitive distortion- People see the phobic stimuli in another way. Its perceived
differently to how it actually looks. (For example, a ophidiophobic may see snakes as alien
and aggressive looking)
