TABLE 1.

Sample personal threat scene exemplars by principal disorder

Principal disorder	Personal threat exemplar
Control	I clench my jaw and fist as the nurse prepares the needle. I quickly close my eyes to avoid seeing the injection.
Specific phobia	As I move closer to the cage, I see a large hairy spider. My heart is pounding and my body is shaking.
Social phobia	I don’t know anyone at this party. I feel sweaty and clammy as I realize that everyone is staring at me.
Panic disorder without agoraphobia	I wake up suddenly—frozen in fear. My heart pounds, I’m dizzy, nauseous, short of breath, choking.
Panic disorder with agoraphobia	I am sweaty and I feel like I am about to faint, standing in the middle of a crowded mall. I need to get out.
OCD	My heart pounds as liquid from the garbage drips on my hands. The germs are spreading. I need to get clean
GAD	As I watch the ambulance drive away my heart pounds and I begin to panic. What if my children are hurt?
PTSD	My leg is trapped between the seats. This is it, the van is full of smoke and I am going to die in this fire.