Data Bases • Custom Term Papers • Free Term Papers • Free Research Papers • Free Essays • Free Book Reports • Plagiarism? Links • Top 100 Term Paper Sites • Top 25 Essay Sites • Top 50 Essay Sites • Search 97,000 Papers @ DirectEssays.com • Search 101,000 Papers @ ExampleEssays.com • Search 90,000 Papers @ MegaEssays.com Free Essays • Term Paper Sites • Chuck III's Free Essays • Free College Essays • TermPaperSites.com • My Term Papers • Get Free Essays • Essay World • Planet Papers	Search Lots of Essays Back to Subjects - Psychology Social Disorders Social Disorders POPULAR MAGAZINE ARTICLE CRITIQUE Steve Eftink 8 Mar 01 “Social Anxiety Disorder/Social Phobia: The Least Understood Anxiety Disorder” By Thomas A. Richards, Ph.D., Psychologist PURPOSE: In my opinion the author of this article has expressed two reasons for writing the article. First, he explains the symptoms and diagnoses of social anxiety disorder and how it relates to humans. Secondly, he illustrates some of the possible treatments or ways to live with what he titles “The Least Understood Anxiety Disorder.” SUMMARY: Social anxiety disorder or Social phobia, as called by some, is labeled by Richards as the fear of public interaction with other people for feelings of criticism or self-consciousness? He further hypotheses that millions of people all over world suffer from this disorder. He sites such situations as; being made the center of attentions, meeting people in the position of authority or making “small talk” at parties as events that could trigger an anxiety disorder episode. Some of the symptoms of a person experiencing a social anxiety disorder range from elevated heart rates, turning red in the face to intense fear coupled with muscle twitches. These symptoms, and others, persist in individuals diagnosed as having social anxiety disorder and show no signs subsiding. In a positive light the author shows how cognitive-behavioral therapy has significantly helped people with this disorder. The writer illustrates four elements vital in conquering social phobias. The first is understanding and being aware of the problem. Followed by a commitment to carry through with the therapy and getting the information deep in the brain so as to make the response automatic. Lastly, participation in a social anxiety therapy group that establishes specific strategic goals the person can gradually work towards is imperative. The group should be made up of people who are only diagnosed with social anxiety disorder and not other phobias. The group should not be a “support group” but rather a “behavioral group” that specifically works on problems causing anxieties in the real world. The group should not use negative or pressure tactics to gain results, but should instill the notion that progress resides in the individual themselves. The individual should be taught to focus on present-day problems and use many methods to relieve anxiety thinking. In conclusion, the author states that after therapy people with this particular disorder feel they have more control over their fear and subsequently more control over their anxiety attacks. RELATE TO CLASS: This popular article relates to the study by our class, both in the discussion of this disorder as being treated by cognitive-behavioral therapy as outline in chapter 14. Also, the article elaborates on one of many types of phobias that the class discussed in chapter 13. Bibliography: Word Count: 450
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