Characteristics
Emotional Behavioural Cognitive
Definition How the individual feels when they have What the individual does and doesn’t do when they What the individual thinks when they have the
the specific disorder. have the specific disorder. specific disorder.
Phobias A fear that is marked, persistent and When confronted, immediate response is Irrational thinking and resistance to
is likely to be excessive and avoidance. rational arguments.
unreasonable. Freeze or faint (stress response). Person recognises that it is excessive
Feeling anxious and panicked. Interferes with routine, occupation, social and unreasonable (not always in
Cued by the presence or anticipation activities or relationships. children).
of a specific object or situation. Distress about having the phobia. Distinguishing between a phobia and a
Fears to no disturb day-to-day life whereas delusional mental illness is being
phobias do. unaware of the behaviour.
Depression Sadness or loss of interest and Shift in activity levels (increase or decrease). Thoughts of negative self-concept, guilt
pleasure in normal activities. Reduced energy and sense of tiredness or wish and worthlessness.
Feeling empty, worthless, hopeless to sleep constantly. Negative view on the world, negative
and low self-esteem. Sometimes easily agitated and restless: pacing, expectations on life and relationships.
Feelings of despair and lack of wring hands and tears at the skin. Self-fulfilling: Think they will fail, less
control. Some sleep more and some have insomnia. effort revising, fail exam and confirming
Anger towards others and self, arise Reduced appetite or eat considerably more. self-belief.
from feelings of hurt or wishing to Irrational thoughts that are not
retaliate. accurately reflecting reality.
OCD Considerable anxiety, distress and Compulsive behaviours to reduce anxiety. Intrusive thoughts or impulses that are
disgust. Repetitive and unconcealed such as washing perceived as inappropriate or
Aware they are excessive therefore hands. forbidden.
causes them to feel embarrassed Compelled to perform an action or else May be frightening and/or
and ashamed. something “bad” will happen. embarrassing so do not share with
Not connected realistically, designed to others.
neutralise or prevent and are clearly excessive. Obsessive theme – ideas, doubts,
Non-specific obsessions: avoid certain objects. impulses or images.
Emotional Behavioural Cognitive
Definition How the individual feels when they have What the individual does and doesn’t do when they What the individual thinks when they have the
the specific disorder. have the specific disorder. specific disorder.
Phobias A fear that is marked, persistent and When confronted, immediate response is Irrational thinking and resistance to
is likely to be excessive and avoidance. rational arguments.
unreasonable. Freeze or faint (stress response). Person recognises that it is excessive
Feeling anxious and panicked. Interferes with routine, occupation, social and unreasonable (not always in
Cued by the presence or anticipation activities or relationships. children).
of a specific object or situation. Distress about having the phobia. Distinguishing between a phobia and a
Fears to no disturb day-to-day life whereas delusional mental illness is being
phobias do. unaware of the behaviour.
Depression Sadness or loss of interest and Shift in activity levels (increase or decrease). Thoughts of negative self-concept, guilt
pleasure in normal activities. Reduced energy and sense of tiredness or wish and worthlessness.
Feeling empty, worthless, hopeless to sleep constantly. Negative view on the world, negative
and low self-esteem. Sometimes easily agitated and restless: pacing, expectations on life and relationships.
Feelings of despair and lack of wring hands and tears at the skin. Self-fulfilling: Think they will fail, less
control. Some sleep more and some have insomnia. effort revising, fail exam and confirming
Anger towards others and self, arise Reduced appetite or eat considerably more. self-belief.
from feelings of hurt or wishing to Irrational thoughts that are not
retaliate. accurately reflecting reality.
OCD Considerable anxiety, distress and Compulsive behaviours to reduce anxiety. Intrusive thoughts or impulses that are
disgust. Repetitive and unconcealed such as washing perceived as inappropriate or
Aware they are excessive therefore hands. forbidden.
causes them to feel embarrassed Compelled to perform an action or else May be frightening and/or
and ashamed. something “bad” will happen. embarrassing so do not share with
Not connected realistically, designed to others.
neutralise or prevent and are clearly excessive. Obsessive theme – ideas, doubts,
Non-specific obsessions: avoid certain objects. impulses or images.
