Download What is Specific Phobia

Specific Phobia
Susie
Sun Mingyu
Map
 Introduction
 Features
 Symptoms
 Demographics
 Case study
5/12/2017
What is Specific Phobia
 Intense fears about specific places, situations
or things, and phobias can make it hard for
you to go to places. (e.g. flying, heights,
animals, receiving an injection, seeing blood)
receiving an
injection →
Features：
 Marked and persistent
 Unreasonable and extravagant
 Cued by the presence or anticipation of a specific
object or situation
Symptoms
 DSM-IV-TR delineates seven diagnostic criteria for
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specific phobia:
Significant and enduring fear of phobic stimulus
Anxiety response to phobic stimulus
Recognition
Avoidance
Impairment and distress
Duration
Not accounted for by another disorder
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Demographics---
General United States population
 Specific phobias are common. The prevalence rates of
specific phobia in community samples range from 4%
to 8%. Over the course of a lifetime, the prevalence
estimates in community samples range from 7.2% to
11.3%.
(Antony, 2010)
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Demographics--High-risk populations
 Individuals whose family members have specific
phobia are at a higher risk for developing this disorder.
(Antony, 2010)
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Demographics--Cross-cultural issues
 Prior to assigning a diagnosis of specific phobia,
clinicians need to consider whether a patient's fear is
extreme in the context of a particular culture and
whether the phobia causes difficulties in daily
functioning or triggers a lot of distress. Further
research is needed on the effects of culture upon the
symptoms of specific phobia.
(Antony, 2010)
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Demographics--Gender issues
 There are twice as many women with specific phobia
than there are men with this disorder. The gender ratio
variable varies depending upon the type of specific
phobia. Approximately 75%–90% of people with the
animal, situational, and natural environment types are
female. Approximately 55%–70% of people with the
blood-injection-injury subtype are female. For height
phobias, there are fewer women than men than for
other specific phobia types; however, illness phobias
are more common in men.
(Antony, 2010)
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Case Study: Eric→fears of flying
 “scared to death of flying”
 heartbeats are so fast, his throat feels tight and sweats
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excessively
thinks when a plane is taking off it must crush
smaller planes, bad weather make him feel worse
worry about a plane trip a few months ago before he
was due to take it
he will not apply the jobs which there are chances to
take planes
Eric just knows his fear of flying is irrational but he
just cannot overcome it.
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References
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Ankrom sheryl, (2009). Multiaxial Diagnostic System of the DSM-IV-TR The Five Axes. Retrieved
from: http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/diagnosis/a/DSMAxis.htm
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DSM-IV criteria for 300.29 Specific phobias. Retrieved from:
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http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/about-anxiety/diagnostic-and-statistical-manual-of-mental-
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disorders-dsm/
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Fritscher Lisa, (2009). Distinguishing a Phobia From Another Mental Health or Anxiety Disorder.
Retrieved from: http://phobias.about.com/od/relateddisorders/a/distinguishphob.htm
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Grohol M. John. (2013). Specific Phobia Symptoms. Retrieved from:
http://psychcentral.com/disorders/specific-phobia-symptoms/
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Katz Marina , (2012). Anxiety & Panic Disorders Health Center. Retrieved from:
http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/specific-phobias
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Recognizing Specific Phobias - Do I Have a Phobia? Retrieved from:
http://www.anxietybc.com/resources/specific.php
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Steven J. Seay, Ph.D. (2011). Specific phobias: symptoms & CBT treatment (reader question).
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Retrieved from: http://www.steveseay.com/phobias-symptoms-treatment-therapy-cbt/
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