Psychology - Social Anxiety

Social Anxiety Disorder

Marked fear or anxiety about one ore more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others.

What is fear seen to be by SAD?

Out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the social situation.

Social situations are what by individuals with SAD?

Avoided or endured with intense fear or anxiety.

What does the fear, anxiety or avoidance cause in individuals with SAD?

Clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

What does anxiety focus on?

The future possible threats & uncontrollability of the negative event.

What are the two types of symptoms of SAD?

Physical Symptoms - blushing, sweating, shaking or looking nervous.

Cognitive Symptoms - Seeming boring, stupid or strange.

What do results on studies of the prevalence and onset of SAD show?

Results tend to vary from study to study.

What is the lifetime prevalence of SAD?

12% in adults.

Which gender is more likely to have SAD or admit?

Women

What percentage is SAD present in British 5-19 year olds in 2017?

0.8%

What percentage is SAD present in British 5-15 year olds in 1999?

0.32%

When is SAD theoretically occur?

Adolescence

In what type of societies is SAD least present?

Collectivist societies

What are the outcomes of SAD?

• Risk of substance misuse

• Risk of depression

• Potential limiting prospects on professional and relationship life

• Comorbid with other disorders

DSM Criteria

• Exposure evokes an immediate reaction

• fear is irrational & out of proportion to actual threat posed by the social situation

• Feared situation is avoided, interferes with normal life

• Minimum duration is 6 months.

• Not related to substance abuse or medication

• Not a better explained by another diagnosis

Criteria for Children

• Anxiety must occur in peer settings not just during interactions with adults

• Individual fears acing in a way or show anxiety symptoms that will be negatively evaluated

How might anxiety be expressed for children?

• Crying

• Tantrums

• Freezing

• Clinging

• Failing to speak in social situations

What are the three possible causes of SAD?

1- Genes (Meta analysis twins, mean heritability of 0.65%

2- Early Environment (Early parenting styles mainly overprotection & modelling of social avoidance)

3- Early Shaming (Parents & authority figures may increase the effect go negative appraisal)

How was SAD treated for children?

Treated using ‘social skills’ programmes.

Evolutionary Model of SA

SA is a response designed to prevent social rejection or exclusion - SA is an over sensitive system that does not stop when it should (threat is not present)

What are the main assumptions of the Evolutionary model of SA?

Mutualism - in natural settings cooperative individuals will do better than non-cooperative individuals.

What are the two main systems that have been proposed in the Evolutionary Model of SA

An affiliation system & social rank system

Explain Affiliation System

• Based on trust & cooperation

• Increases social bonds & relationships

• Association to the ‘need to belong’ proposed by Maslow

Explain the Social Rank System

• Fights & aggression is costly therefore allows distribution of resources without the need of aggression & competition.

• Allows guided appropriate behaviour & regulate interaction between group members.

What is the Cognitive Behavioural Model better known as?

Heimberg Model

What does the Cognitive Behavioural Model focus on?

Factors which increase & maintain SA in individuals

Explain key points of Cognitive Behavioural Model

• Comparison between the mental representation of the person and the expectation of the audience.

Clark & Wells Cognitive Model

People with SA believe that have social deficits however Clark & Wells suggest it is cognitive appraisal therefore perceive situations as negative (dangerous)

What guidelines does SAD follow?

NICE guidelines

What type of treatments are provided for SAD?

CBT which has been specifically developed to treat social anxiety disordered based on cognitive models.

How many sessions of CBT are required to treat SAD?

Up to 14 sessions.

What exercise can be used to demonstrate the effects of negative self focus?

Video feedback to correct negative self imagery - aims to remove bias