This Study is of Interest to:
Adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Type of Study, What They Did:
These survey results about SAD treatment are part of a larger survey conducted by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA). The survey was conducted online between December 11th and 17th, 2007 by Harris Interactive, an online market research firm. Study participants included 287 people with SAD. Study participants were asked a variety of questions about the general impact of the disorder, impact on relationships (romantic, friendship and professional) as well as their treatment history. Results of the study were weighted to reflect the same demographics as the U.S. population.
What They Found:
A number of questions about SAD treatment were asked.
Only 11% of respondents had never received professional care for their disorder. Of those that had received treatment, nearly three quarters had used medication. Other forms of treatment, such as talk therapy, relaxation techniques, exercise and faith/prayer, were used by less than half of the respondents. Surprisingly, only 16% of respondents had received cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for SAD.
For those that had not received treatment, nearly half felt that they could control the problem themselves and a third felt that treatment was too expensive. About one third of respondents had not received treatment because of fears about medication -- either concern over side effects or a desire not to be medicated.
What it Means for You:
If you are among the minority that have not received professional care for SAD, it is important to obtain help. SAD cannot be effectively managed on your own without first receiving professional treatment. Although most respondents in this survey were prescribed medication, CBT is equally effective and should be considered whenever available. In general, the mental health care system needs to make a variety of treatment options for SAD more readily available and affordable.
Source:
Anxiety Disorders Association. The effects of social anxiety disorder on personal relationships: Survey results. Accessed September 14th, 2008.
