Irma

托福閱讀 練習小短文 - 恐慌症 (心理學科) 

托福考試內容的出處基本上都是有相關論文或研究支持的嚴謹學述內容，內容五花八門，所以一開始除了可以多看TED、國家地理雜誌或Time Magazine 這種國際性科學性雜誌或取相關知識內容。如若找不到相關專有名詞的解釋，其實不妨可以查看wiki英文版的內容，因為其實裡面大多數的內容還是有論文的佐證，並以此提升自己英文閱讀的內力，一步步衍生英文單字的廣泛。

如下面兩篇文章，一篇是心理學中關於精神疾病的說明；另外一篇是針對精神疾病中的恐懼症的說明。托福有時就喜歡在閱讀考試中丟一個主題，整篇文章就可能在針對這個主題做說明和論證，要理解文章架構不難，前提就是多看英文文章。

mental disorder

A mental disorder, also called a mental illnessor psychiatric disorder, is a behavioral or mental pattern that may cause sufferingor a poor ability to function in life. Such features may be persistent, relapsing and remitting, or occur as a single episode. Many disorders have been described, with signs and symptoms that vary widely between specific disorders. Such disorders may be diagnosed by amental health professional.

The causes of mental disorders are often unclear. Theories may incorporate findings from a range of fields. Mental disorders are usually defined by a combination of how a person behaves, feels, perceives, or thinks. This may be associated with particular regions or functions of the brain, often in a social context. A mental disorder is one aspect of mental health. Cultural and religious beliefs, as well associal norms, should be taken into account when making a diagnosis.

Services are based in psychiatric hospitals or in the community, and assessments are carried out by psychiatrists, psychologists, andclinical social workers, using various methods but often relying on observation and questioning. Treatments are provided by variousmental health professionals. Psychotherapy and psychiatric medication are two major treatment options. Other treatments include socialinterventions, peer support, and self-help. In a minority of cases there might be involuntary detention or treatment. Prevention programs have been shown to reduce depression.

Common mental disorders include depression, which affects about 400 million, dementia which affects about 35 million, and schizophrenia, which affects about 21 million people globally. Stigma and discrimination can add to the suffering and disability associated with mental disorders, leading to various social movements attempting to increase understanding and challenge social exclusion.

phobia 

A phobia is a type of anxiety disorder, defined by a persistent fear of an object or situation. The phobia typically results in a rapid onset of fear and is present for more than six months. The affected person will go to great lengths to avoid the situation or object, typically to a degree greater than the actual danger posed. If the feared object or situation cannot be avoided, the affected person will have significant distress. With blood or injury phobia, fainting may occur Agoraphobia is often associated with panic attacks. Usually a person has phobias to a number of objects or situations.

Phobias can be divided into specific phobias, social phobia, and agoraphobia. Types of specific phobias include to certain animals, natural environment situations, blood or injury, and specific situations. The most common are fear of spiders, fear of snakes, and fear of heights.  Occasionally they are triggered by a negative experience with the object or situation. Social phobia is when the situation is feared as the person is worried about others judging them. Agoraphobia is when fear of a situation occurs because it is felt that escape would not be possible.

 Specific phobias should be treated with exposure therapy where the person is introduced to the situation or object in question until the fear resolves. Medications are not useful in this type of phobia. Social phobia and agoraphobia are often treated with some combination ofcounselling and medication. Medications used include antidepressants, benzodiazepines, or beta-blockers.

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