The Effects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Social Phobia

Advanced General Psychology - PSY492Melody C. Phillips

6/24/11

The 2 causes of social phobia

• Heredity– Meaning the condition can be inherited with

genes through DNA.• A disturbing experience/Severe trauma– Meaning it could be the result of one humiliating

and/or traumatic incident which causes the sufferer extreme paranoia whenever a social interaction is anticipated.

What is social phobia?

• Social Phobia is defined as a profound fear of any aspect social interaction.

• “Social phobia is characterized by the fear of being scrutinized by other people in social or performing situations and of being evaluated negatively by them," (Manfroa, et al, 2003).

Prevalence of anxiety disorders history in childhood.

N %

Separation anxiety 10 41.7

Generalized anxiety disorder

12 50.0

Avoidant disorder 9 37.5

Agoraphobia 3 12.5

Social phobia 12 50.0

Any disorder 18 75.0

Two or more disorders 13 54.1

Panic Attacks

• can be triggered by certain stimuli that elicit negative responses in children and adults.

• Symptoms include the following:– Blushing & sweating– dizziness – heart palpitations – tense muscles – dry mouth – trembling – nausea

How common is social phobia?Health News Flash.com states the following:

•Annually, between the ages of 18 & 54,

approximately 3.7% of the U.S. population (5.3

million) has shown symptoms of social phobia.

•The disorder typically begins in childhood or early

adolescence and rarely develops after age 25.

•“Social phobia is the most common anxiety

disorder and is thought to affect 1 in 10 people at

some time in their lives,” (Shyness & Social Anxiety

Treatment Australia , 2011).

Before we begin…

• Psychological evaluation• disease course• onset and duration• Identification of co-

morbidities• Cognitive, physiological,

and behavioral symptoms

• family history including biological diathesis:– Experiences: family and

school related – Social, affective, and

sexual relationships

• Psychiatric assessment to point out triggers to criticism and reactions to medication

Characteristics of Cognitive-Behavioral therapy

• “CBT is based on changing the thoughts and feelings of people internally rather than depending on external surroundings, like people, events or circumstances,” (Vyas, 2011).

• CBT is considered to be the most fast pace form of therapy and is concluded only when both parties (therapist and client) are content with the results by observing the degree of improvement and the client’s ability to function at full capacity on his or her own.

• Homework for clients: The clients are asked to implement the skills and techniques which are taught to them during the therapy sessions. Without practicing them the client cannot overcome his/her problem.

• Establishing a good rapport between client and therapist.

Advantages of CBT

• “group cognitive-behavioral therapy comparative to individual therapy include members sharing the same difficulty, amplified chances for in vivo exposure, direct evidence against cognitive distortions, public commitment to change, and vicarious learning,” (Lígia M Ito, 2008).

• The preventative measures and maintenance to avoid panic attacks (i.e. stress and relaxation techniques, extinction, etc.) and/or other dilapidating behavior

Disadvantages of CBT

• people with social phobia have the tendency to also fear evaluation because they are sensitive to the criticism or comments of others so group therapy would be counterproductive to some.

• Fear of ridicule and humiliation keeps some people suffering from this condition from seeking help.

Strengths of CBT for social phobia

• Children can be trained to neutralize their inner thoughts and emotions toward any adverse stimuli at an earlier age so that when they become adults, it will not affect them as badly.

• Those that are afflicted can be taught to decipher the neutral factor in any given situation.

• The quantitative approach would be more beneficial because its research design has the descriptive aspect that expresses the relationships between variables.

Weaknesses of CBT for social phobia

• CBT can be time sensitive because after a person has been weighed down by social phobia for so long, it may reach the point of no return.

• The disadvantages listed before apply also.– Fear and ridicule keep persons from seeking help– Sensitivity to criticism

• Gaining a person’s trust with affliction is very difficult.

References

• Lígia M Ito, 1. M. (2008). Cognitive-behavioral therapy in social phobia. Rev Bras Psiquiatr;30(Suppl II) , S96-101.

• Shyness & Social Anxiety Treatment Australia . (2011). Social Phobia Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved June 24, 2011, from Shyness and Social Anxiety Treatment Australia: http://www.socialanxietyassist.com.au/social_phobia.shtml

• Vyas, M. (2011). Characteristics of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Retrieved June 18, 2011, from ezinearticles.com: http://ezinearticles.com/?Characteristics-of-Cognitive-Behavioral-Therapy&id=3594858