Self-Compassion and Social Anxiety Disorder

Article summary provided by Hillary Greene THE MAIN POINT: People with social anxiety disorder often experience strong negative self-views and tend to be very self-critical. Conversely, the idea of self-compassion refers to having a caring and accepting self-view, which research has shown to be associated with positive well-being in healthy populations. This study examined self-compassion READ MORE »

Social Anxiety and Substance Use: A review of “Specificity of Social Anxiety Disorder as a Risk Factor for Alcohol and Cannabis Dependence”

Article summary provided by Kathryn Zumberg THE MAIN POINT: In a recent study, Buckner et al. (2008) examined whether a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder among adolescents is a specific risk factor for the development of alcohol and/or cannabis use disorders in adulthood. As expected, the authors found that social anxiety disorder, but not anxiety READ MORE »

December 2012 Connecticut School Shooting Position Statement

Nine school violence prevention researchers and practitioners nationwide developed a position statement on the Dec. 14, 2012 Connecticut school shootings that is being disseminated across the U.S. today. It is in response to the tragic acts of violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School and updates the School Shootings Position Statement that was disseminated nationally following READ MORE »

Risks of Compensatory Internet Use

Article summary by Hillary Greene   THE MAIN POINT: People with social anxiety frequently engage more often in online communication methods than in-person interactions and often feel more comfortable with such online versus live communication. However, a recent study cautions socially anxious individuals about the potentially harmful effects on one’s well-being of relying primarily on internet READ MORE »

Social Anxiety and Substance Use: A review of “Specificity of Social Anxiety Disorder as a Risk Factor for Alcohol and Cannabis Dependence”

Article summary provided by Kathryn Zumberg   THE MAIN POINT: In a recent study, Buckner et al. (2008) examined whether a diagnosis of social anxiety disorder among adolescents is a specific risk factor for the development of alcohol and/or cannabis use disorders in adulthood. As expected, the authors found that social anxiety disorder, but not READ MORE »

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Social Anxiety

Article summary provided by Kathryn Zumberg   THE MAIN POINT: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a structured program that combines meditation practices, such as sitting and walking mediation, and yoga in order to change suffering associated with mental disorders, stress, and chronic diseases (Kabat-Zinn, 1990). Evidence suggests that this brief program may provide some relief to READ MORE »

How Assertiveness Skills Can Help You to Combat Your Social Fears

Article summary provided by Hillary Greene   THE MAIN POINT: People with social anxiety often struggle to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs to others, including being able to say ‘no’ to a request, being able to cope with criticism, or being able to communicate effectively in daily social situations. Increasing your assertiveness skills by READ MORE »

The Cognitive Theory of Social Anxiety

THE MAIN POINT: One of the main theories about social anxiety asserts that social anxiety is related to overestimating the negative aspects of social interactions, and underestimating the positive aspects. Individuals with social anxiety tend to overestimate the threat of social interactions, the likelihood of negative outcomes, and the consequences of negative outcomes. Individuals with READ MORE »

What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

THE MAIN POINT: Social Anxiety Disorder involves intense anxiety or fear related to certain social situations, which interferes with daily life. It is diagnosed by a health care professional. Both medication and psychotherapy have been shown to be effective in treating social anxiety disorder. Although we don’t know what causes it, research is dedicated toward READ MORE »