Final Topic: Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) Dryman, T., Gardner, S., Weeks, J.W. & Heimberg, R.G. (2015). Social anxiety disorder and quality of life: How fears of negative and positive evaluation relate to specific domains of life satisfaction. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 38, 1-8.

The authors of the present article point out that SAD has been associated with poor quality of life. Indeed, according to the authors, persons diagnosed with SAD appear to experience impairment in a number of facets, i.e. in on the occupational, educational, as well as social fronts. This is what ends up having a negative impact on the quality of life. It is on this basis that the authors attempt to establish the relationship between a number of quality of life inventory domains and fear of positive evaluation as well as fear of negative evaluation. The quality of life inventory domains that have been highlighted by the authors are inclusive of; social functioning, personal growth, achievement, and surroundings. The authors make a finding to the effect that both fear of positive evaluation as well as fear of negative evaluation have a differential impact on SAD.

I will be using this particular article to not only link social anxiety disorder with poor quality of life, but to also demonstrate the nature of correlation between quality of life (across a variety of domains) and fear of positive evaluation as well as fear of negative evaluation. Further, the article will be instrumental in attempts to underline the need for treatment approaches to incorporate the concepts highlighted to promote quality of life following SAD diagnosis.

Khakpoor, S., Saed, O., Shahsavar, A. & Booth, R.W. (2018). The Concept of ‘Anxiety Sensitivity’ in Social Anxiety Disorder Presentations, Symptomatology, and Treatment: A Theoretical Perspective. Cogent Psychology, 6(1), 14-19.

According to the authors of the present article, in the past, there have been a wide range of psychopathological models as well as theories floated in an attempt to explain social anxiety disorder. In this case, the authors seek to concern themselves with the anxiety sensitivity (AS) concept. In so doing, the authors attempt to determine or establish what role this particular concept plays in the perception of anxiety as well as its treatment. It is important to note that in this case, AS has been described as the fear of what the authors refer to as somatic sensations - associated with anxiety - that appear to impact SAD’s (and other anxiety disorders’) onset as well as maintenance. According to the authors, there is sufficient evidence indicating that anxiety in social scenarios could be exaggerated by AS (i.e. via its interaction with a number of other constructs).

This piece will enable me to introduce the concept of AS and why it ought to be considered a

The article will also form a basis for my call for additional/further research in this realm. This is more so the case given that there are very few studies that have sought to highlight and extensively probe AS as an underlying factor in SAD.
Leigh, E. & Clark, D.M. (2018). Understanding Social Anxiety Disorder in Adolescents and Improving Treatment Outcomes: Applying the Cognitive Model of Clark and Wells (1995). Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev., 21(3), 388-414.

The authors of the present article point out that in as far as the emergence of social anxiety disorder is concerned, one specifically developmentally sensitive period is adolescence. This is more so the case given that it is during adolescence that the relevance of peer group increases. Thus, as the authors further point out, a strong argument could be presented for the implementation of effective interventions at this very stage. It is, however, important to note that according to the authors, unlike is the case with adults, there is very little evidence of how effective available therapies are when applied to adolescents. In the present article, the authors are categorical that adults could benefit from the adoption of a social anxiety disorder cognitive model that is developmentally sensitive.

This particular article will come in handy as I seek to advance the need for intervention delivery during adolescence. Further, the article will be instrumental as I seek to explore the most effective interventions at this particular stage. This is more so the case with regard to individual cognitive therapy.

McCall, H.C., Helgadottir, F.D., Menzies, R.., Hadjistavropoulos, H.D., & Chen, F. (2019). Evaluating a Web-Based Social Anxiety Intervention among Community Users: Analysis of Real-World Data. Journal of Medical Research, 21(1), 79-85.

According to the authors, SAD happens to be one of the most prevalent and harmful social disorders. Despite this, the authors observe that available data indicates that SAD is undertreated. There are a number of factors that contribute to the said under-treatment of this particular mental disorder. Some of the more relevant reasons, especially in as far as the present research article is concerned, are the costs associated with seeking treatment and the stigma attached to help seeking. It is on this basis that the authors in this case advance the need for increased utilization of computer-aided psychotherapy interventions. More specifically, the authors concern themselves with Overcome Social Anxiety as an ideal cognitive behavioral therapy that is delivered over the internet.

Thanks to the findings of this article, I will be suggesting computer-aided psychotherapy interventions as a valid interventions for SAD. This is more so the case given that as per the findings of the present study, they have proven to be rather effective in the reduction of the severity of SAD symptoms. Thus, I will be listing Overcome Social Anxiety as a valid intervention.

Torvic, F.A., Rosenstrom,…