The 4 main differences between phobia and psychological trauma

Do you know the differences between phobia and psychological trauma? These are two very different psychopathological pictures, although both share the fact that the person who suffers from them feels a lot of discomfort.

In this article we will explain what they consist of and we will know 4 differences between a phobia and a trauma psychological, equating psychological trauma to what we know in psychology as PTSD (Stress Disorder Post-traumatic).

• Related article: "Types of Phobias: Exploring Fear Disorders

Differences between phobia and psychological trauma

To understand the differences between phobia and psychological trauma, we will first explain what each disorder consists of.

1. phobias

A phobia is a disproportionate, irrational and exaggerated fear of a specific stimulus or situation. Fear is accompanied by avoidance behaviors of the phobic stimulus (or if the phobic stimulus is endured, it is done with high anxiety).

You can have a phobia of anything, which is why there are as many phobias as there are stimuli or objects. For example, phobia of spiders, public speaking, driving, being in enclosed spaces, clowns, etc.

Phobias are included in the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) as anxiety disorders.

2. Psychological traumas

Psychological trauma, on the other hand, involve the experience, exposure or observation of extremely shocking events, which cause a series of dysfunctional and maladaptive symptoms at a physiological, behavioral and psychological level. These events generally involve death, serious injury, or rape.

In relation to psychological trauma, there are a number of trauma-related mental disorders: the best known and most frequently appearing is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Thus, the term "psychological trauma", in everyday language, is generally used to talk about PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder); That is why in this article we will use the concept of PTSD to refer to the term psychological trauma.

That is, we will use both concepts as comparable/interchangeable, although we must take into account that there may be small variations in relation to their meaning in common language (for example, someone may speak of a psychological trauma to refer to an Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) instead of a a PTSD; ASD is like PTSD but of shorter duration).

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

As we have seen, many times in everyday language the term psychological trauma is used as a synonym for PTSD. But do we really know what PTSD is?

According to the DSM-5, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) involves exposure to the occurrence of death, serious injury, or rape; Exposure can be direct, by observation, by learning of the event from a family member or friend, or by repeated exposure to details of the event.

This exposure causes a series of characteristic symptoms, which are basically 3: intrusiveness, avoidance, cognitive and mood disturbances, and hyperarousal (reactivity).

The first symptom, the intrusion, is notable, and usually involves re-experiencing the event through memories or distressing dreams, as well as dissociative reactions, significant psychological distress, and intense physiological reactions.

An important change in the DSM-5 is that removes the necessary criteria for responding with intense fear, helplessness, or horror before such an event that did appear in the DSM-IV; now that answer is not necessary, although logically it can continue to appear in PTSD.

• You may be interested in: "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: Causes and Symptoms"

differences

In relation to the differences between phobia and psychological trauma, we are going to talk about the 4 most important:

1. Type of disorder

The first difference we find is their location (or classification) in psychology reference manuals, such as the DSM-5.

In this way, while in said manual the phobia is classified as an "anxiety disorder", PTSD is classified as a “trauma or stressor related disorder”.

2. triggering stimulus

On the other hand, the stimuli (or events) that trigger PTSD or psychological trauma are death-related events (for example, a murder, suicide or a traffic accident), with sexual violence (for example a rape) and with serious injuries (for example an injury medullary).

Instead, the stimuli that generate a phobia are “normal” stimuli, in the sense that they don't have to cause real damage (although in some cases they can). That is to say, they are generally stimuli (for example a storm) or situations of daily life (for example driving, speaking in public...).

3. Determinants of the disorder

Another difference between phobia and psychological trauma is the fundamental element that determines the appearance or not of the disorder. So that we see it more clearly; In the case of a phobia, it is the individual's response to such a stimulus (which is disproportionate and irrational) that determines whether a phobia is diagnosed as such.

On the other hand, in psychological trauma, the DSM-IV considered two elements necessary to diagnose PTSD: on the one hand, a response of intense horror, fear or impotence before the event on the part of the individual, and on the other, the actual exposure to the event (and that this was stressful). The DSM-5, for its part, has modified this criterion and considers only the exposure to the event necessary, and not the response (although it may still appear).

4. duration of disorder

According to the DSM, the duration of a phobia is a minimum of 6 months; while that of a minimum PTSD (or psychological trauma) has to be 1 month.

Here we must note that an ASD or Acute Stress Disorder (also considered a psychological trauma), and that it lasts from three days to a month (by the time it lasts longer, it already becomes PTSD).

Bibliographic references:

• APA (2014). DSM-5. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Madrid. Pan American.
• Belloch, A.; Sandin, b. and Ramos, F. (2010). Manual of Psychopathology. Volume II. Madrid: McGraw-Hill.
• Bados, A. (2015). Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Faculty of Psychology Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment.