Which of the following statements accurately describes the diagnostic criteria for phobias?

Choice A rationale:

The client's statement reflects cognitive distortion, where their thoughts are irrational and exaggerated. The client's intense fear of bad things happening during a flight and their inability to imagine being on a plane without fear are examples of distorted thinking patterns.

Choice B rationale:

Maladaptive coping refers to using ineffective strategies to deal with stress or anxiety. While the client's fear of flying is indeed a maladaptive response, the statement doesn't directly describe coping mechanisms.

Choice C rationale:

Rational thinking involves logical and balanced thoughts. The client's statement does not reflect rational thinking, as their fear is intense and irrational.

Choice D rationale:

Effective self-management involves using appropriate strategies to manage one's fears or anxieties. The client's statement does not indicate effective self-management, as their fear seems to be controlling their emotions and thoughts rather than managing them.

Choice A rationale:

This description is more fitting for panic disorder or generalized anxiety disorder, which involve intense fear, anxiety, panic, and impaired functioning. Specific phobias can cause distress and impairment, but they are primarily characterized by the fear of a specific object or situation.

Choice B rationale:

Phobias are diagnosed based on the psychological and behavioral symptoms related to the fear of a specific object or situation, not solely on physiological symptoms.

Choice C rationale:

While duration and frequency of symptoms are important factors, they are not the central criteria for diagnosing specific phobias. These factors might be more relevant to other anxiety disorders.

Choice D rationale:

The correct answer. Phobias are diagnosed based on the specific type of fear-inducing object or situation and the associated features of the phobia. These features include the marked and persistent fear, avoidance behavior, and the irrationality of the fear response.