Transcript Social Anxiety Disorder

Social Anxiety
Disorder
EDWARDO MORENO AND ALFREDO PATINO
Etiology Terms: Biological

Biological: SAD has genetic causes. According to The American Psychiatric
Association: "anxiety disorders run in families. For example, if one identical
twin has an anxiety disorder, the second twin is likely to have an anxiety
disorder as well, which suggests that genetics-possibly in combination with
life experiences-makes some people more susceptible to these illnesses"

In addition to genetic causes, there is also evidence that SAD is caused by
chemical disturbances in the brain
Etiology Terms: Cognitive

Cognitive: A key factor is a shift in focus of attention and a particular
type of negative self-processing. When individuals with social phobia
believe they are in danger of negative evaluation by others, they shift
their attention to detailed monitoring and observation of themselves.

Feeling anxious is equated with looking anxious. This can lead to marked
distortions.

For example, an individual may have a strong shaky feeling and assume that
others must be able to see his or her hand shaking violently, when all that can be
observed by others is a mild tremor or nothing at all.

Many see images in which they see themselves as if viewed from an
observer’s perspective. Unfortunately, what they see in the image is not
what the observer would see but rather their fears visualized.

Third, more diffuse types of “felt sense” can also contribute to the negative
impression of one’s social self
Etiology Terms: Sociocultural

The defining feature of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is the fear of
negative evaluation by others.

Therefore, SAD is directly linked to social standards and role
expectations, which are culture dependent.

Recognizing the intricate interplay between culture and social
anxiety, some research has focused on psychopathologic
manifestations of SAD across cultures

An individual's social concerns need to be examined in the context
of the person's cultural, racial, and ethnic background in order to
adequately assess the degree and expression of social anxiety and
social anxiety disorder
Symptoms

Many people with social anxiety disorder feel that there is
"something wrong," but don't recognize their feeling as a sign of
illness. Symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include:

Intense anxiety in social situations.

Avoidance of social situations.

Physical symptoms of anxiety, including confusion, pounding heart,
sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach, and
diarrhea.

Children with this disorder may express their anxiety by crying,
clinging to a parent, or throwing a tantrum.
Prevalence

Estimates of the number of people who suffer with SAD have varied
depending on the study, however the majority of research indicates
that it is one of the most common mental disorders

According to the NIMH report, "The Numbers Count: Mental
Disorders in America (2008)", 6.8% of the population aged 18 and
older (approximately 15 million Americans) suffer with social anxiety
disorder
Diagnosis

In community samples the most common additional diagnosis include
specific phobia, agoraphobia, major depression, and alcohol abuse
and dependence.

Other situations that commonly provoke anxiety include:

Eating or drinking in front of others.

Writing or working in front of others.

Being the center of attention.

Interacting with people, including dating or going to parties.

Asking questions or giving reports in groups.

Using public toilets.

Talking on the telephone.

Presenting a project about Social Anxiety Disorder in Psychology Class
Cultural Factors

In collectivistic cultures, harmony within the group is the highest priority and
individual gain is considered to be less important than improvement of the
broader social group. Thus, it is possible that in collectivistic countries more overt
social norms exist to maintain social harmony. In contrast, in individualistic
societies, individual achievements and success receive the greatest reward and
social admiration.

Embarrassment is more common in collectivistic cultures because it is induced
by external sanctions, whereas guilt and self-blame are more common in
individualistic cultures because they are induced by internal sanctions

Self-construals- are overarching schemata that define how people relate to
others and the social context.


Individuals from the US and other individualistic societies tend to construct and
promote independent self-construals, which are characterized by one's tendency to
view oneself as autonomous and separate from the social context
Shame has a more important effect on social anxiety in the Chinese culture
compared to its effect on Americans.
Gender Variations

Gender Role and Gender Role Identification are constructs that are
closely related to self-construal.

femininity being associated with shyness and social subordination,
and masculinity with social dominance and aggression.


Bem SL (1984) challenged this traditional belief by reasoning that a
single individual can be, “both masculine and feminine, both assertive
and yielding, both instrumental and expressive”
On the other hand, sex-typed individuals are motivated to restrict
their behavior in accordance with cultural definitions of gender
appropriateness, and perform poorly on tasks that require them to
act in ways that are incongruent with their self-defined sex-type
Treatment Approaches

Two types of formal treatment are available to people with social
anxiety disorder: pharmacotherapy (medication) and
psychotherapy (psychological counselling).

is commonly treated by either psychotherapy or certain types of
psychiatric medications.

Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are the two primary
methods of treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). When used alone
or in combination, these forms of treatment have been shown to
greatly improve symptoms of social anxiety.
Relationship between Etiology and
Therapeutic Approaches

The different etiologies in SAD require different Therapeutic
Approaches


Such as for the etiology for the biological aspect of SAD

If is chemical disturbances in the brain, medication may be more suitable

If it is a result of genetic, a combination of therapy and medication may be
the best option
For the sociocultural and cognitive aspect of it, people are more likely
to use therapy to understand and overcome the anxiety felt.
Walker Tessner Model