Question

Which of the following is/are feature(s) of clinical phobia?

• A. The fear must be persistent
• B. The fear must be a source of significant distress
• C. The fear is rational
• D. The fear is usually perceived as unwarranted

Hint:

Clinical phobia = persistent, distressing, irrational fear that the individual knows is excessive but cannot control.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A, B, D

Step 1: Defining clinical phobia.
A clinical phobia is an anxiety disorder where the fear response is exaggerated, persistent, and out of proportion to the actual threat.

Step 2: Persistent fear (A).
Phobias involve chronic and long-lasting fear responses. Hence, (A) is correct.

Step 3: Significant distress (B).
For a fear to be diagnosed as phobia, it must interfere with normal functioning and cause marked distress. Hence, (B) is correct.

Step 4: Rational vs irrational (C and D).
- (C) is incorrect because phobic fears are not rational.
- (D) is correct because individuals recognize their fear is excessive or unwarranted, but still cannot control it.
Therefore, the features of clinical phobia are (A), (B), and (D).