Prepare for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam. Study effectively with flashcards, multiple-choice questions, and detailed explanations. Ensure success on your assessment!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.


Psychasthenia is characterized by which of the following?

  1. Excessive confidence and optimism

  2. Phobias, obsessions, and compulsions

  3. Social withdrawal and avoidant behavior

  4. Extreme moods and emotional instability

The correct answer is: Phobias, obsessions, and compulsions

Psychasthenia is primarily characterized by the presence of phobias, obsessions, and compulsions. This term is often associated with a range of anxiety-related disorders, where individuals experience intrusive thoughts (obsessions) that lead to repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) as a means to alleviate the anxiety caused by those thoughts. Additionally, these individuals may exhibit a heightened sensitivity to fear that manifests through various phobias. Understanding psychasthenia helps to distinguish the types of behaviors and symptoms these individuals may present, particularly in a clinical or counseling setting. Recognizing the specific symptoms—such as whether a person is struggling with compulsions to control their anxiety or deeply rooted fears—can inform effective treatment approaches tailored to their needs.