Social Anxiety and Mental Health

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer discusses that persons with social anxiety tend to evaluate the situation prior to engagement and attach a level of emotional investment to the degree of stress created by social expectations. The writer maintains that social anxiety disorder is problematic but may be under-reported and under-appreciated in terms of its impact on the affected person. The writer concludes that steps must be taken to help facilitate the aid given to the affected person, especially through improving access to therapy tailored to that person's unique needs.


Outline:
Introduction
Literature Search on Social Work Interventions
Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Psychoanalytical Theory and Therapy
Pharmacological Treatment
Assessment of Approaches
Social Work Response

From the Paper:

"Social anxiety seems to be a universal condition in that it does not appear common to any one population. Social anxiety has been reported in people regardless of their age, gender, race, ethnicity, or cultural background. Researchers do note that some populations are more likely to be diagnosed with social anxiety than others, but this is true of most psychological conditions: affluent whites tend to have the financial resources to seek out aid for psychological problems and also are part of a culture in which psychological aid is generally accepted."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Beidel, D. C., Ferrell, C., Alfano, C. A., & Yeganeh, R. (2001). The treatment of childhood social anxiety disorder. Psychiatric Clinics of North America. Vol 24 (4).
• Blomhoff, S., Haug, T. T., Hellstrom, I., Holme, M. H., Madsbu, H.P., & Wold, J.E. (2001). Randomized controlled general practice trial of sertraline, exposure therapy, and combined treatment in generalized social phobia. British Journal of Psychiatry. Vol 179. 23 - 30.http://bjp.rcpsych.org/cgi/reprint/179/1/23
• Curtis, R. C., Kimball, A., & Stroup, E. L. (2004). Understanding and treating social phobia. Journal of Counseling and Development. Vol 82. 3 - 9.
• Heckelman, L. R. & Schneier, F. R. (1995). Diagnostic issues. In Social Phobia: Diagnostic, Assessment, and Treatment. (Eds.: R. G. Heimberg, M. R. Liebowitz, D. A. Hope, & F. R. Schneier). New York: The Guilford Press.
• Kagan, J. (1999). The concept of behavioral ambition. In Extreme Fear, Shyness, and Social Phobia (Eds.: L. A. Schmidt & J. Schulkin). New York: Oxford University Press.

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