1 Social Phobia Name University Class Instructor Date 2 Humans are social beings; hence, their ability to comfortably relate can impact other important life aspects, especially in social situations. These include work, family, leisure, dating, relationships, or education. Although it is natural for an individual to feel nervous, shy, or self-conscious during interactions, most people often get through these moments effortlessly. However, for others, the attached anxiety that leads to self-consciousness and shy feelings can sometimes be extreme and cause a condition referred to as social phobia, or social anxiety disorder (SAD). Causes/Etiology The genetic causes of social phobia have been observed among patients whose' parents had the condition. Children of parents diagnosed with social phobia have a 30-40% chance of developing the condition (Bas-Hoogendam et al., 2018). In genetics, research has revealed changes in the SLCGA4 gene, which facilitates the transportation of serotonin as the genetic cause of social anxiety. Parenting style is linked to developing social phobia. Parents diagnosed with the condition make it naturally appear in their children because of the perceived environmental exposure (Bas-Hoogendam et al., 2018). The perceived environmental exposure may include trauma, family conflict, and abuse. Other social phobia occurrences that bring along negative experiences include ridicule, bullying, humiliation, and teasing. Prevalence Social phobia is diagnosed and is common among adolescents. It has also been observed among children transiting to the adolescent stage. Social phobia diagnosed among adults originated from the adolescent stage compared to the adult stage. According to National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R) statistics, the condition occurs among 9.1% of adolescents and 7.1% of adults in the U.S. (NIMH, n.d). The NCS-R report continues 3 to show that approximately 12.1% of U.S. adults have experienced social phobia at some time in their lives (NIMH, n.d). Social phobia is also classified as mild, moderate, and severe. The moderate condition is the most common, suggesting an opportunity for effective intervention. Signs and Symptoms Development, progress, and establishment of social phobia show behavioral and emotional symptoms. Patients with this condition will show fear and worry in social settings, such as during interactions with strangers. Patients also develop an intense fear of physical symptoms that can be obvious to the public. The physical signs and symptoms of social phobia present with trembling, blushing, fast heartbeat, which causes sweating, upset stomach, dizziness, and muscle tension. Physical, behavioral, and emotional symptoms alternate depending on the triggering situation. Evaluations/Diagnostic Procedures used to confirm Diagnosis The diagnostic procedure for confirming social phobia includes the criteria for DSM5. The DSM-5 criteria include establishing persistence, intense fear, or anxiety about social situations that hurt the patient's emotions (Kendler et al., 2022). These situations must present excessive anxiety, which is observed out of proportion. The criteria also include determining whether the patient has social anxiety avoidance behavior (Kendler et al., 2022). The DSM-5 criteria must also reveal fear and distress to the level of interfering with daily living. Treatment Methods (types of treatment, side effects, and efficacy of treatment) The treatment for social phobia utilizes the following two methods. The first method is psychotherapy, which aims to reverse the emotional and behavioral symptoms that patients experience. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is often the most effective intervention because it helps patients develop strategies to face anxiety-causing situations and eliminate negative thoughts (Sewart et al., 2019). Pharmaceutical treatment can also be used to 4 intervene in social anxiety disorders. The first choice of medication is serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) which reduce persistent physical symptoms' effects (Sewart et al., 2019). Physicians may prescribe paroxetine or sertraline as the most effective drugs against physical symptoms. The probable side effects of paroxetine include headache, nervousness, confusion, dizziness, and difficulties in concentration. The side effects of sertraline include nausea, feeling sleepy, dry mouth, diarrhea, and headaches. The CBT and the drugs mentioned above have reported efficacy because they are established as the first lines of social phobia intervention strategies. How successful are treatment methods The psychotherapy treatment method can be equally successful in groups because patients will learn that other people are undergoing the same condition. Both psychotherapy and medication treatment require consistent uptake until symptoms subside. Patients are also tasked to assist with treatment by setting personal achievement goals. These goals include confronting the source of anxiety and developing a coping mechanism. Family's role in the treatment The role of the family in social phobia treatment is offering informal support. The informal support includes eliminating the environmental triggers of social phobia if they are found in the home environment. Improved social relationships and support increase positive interactions that eliminate levels of anxiety and fear (White et al., 2018). The family is considered a social and environmental reality that determines the success or failure of an intervention. 5 References Bas-Hoogendam, J. M., van Steenbergen, H., Tissier, R. L., Houwing-Duistermaat, J. J., Westenberg, P. M., & van der Wee, N. J. (2018). Subcortical brain volumes, cortical thickness and cortical surface area in families genetically enriched for social anxiety disorder–A multiplex multigenerational neuroimaging study. EBioMedicine, 36, 410428. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352396418303402 Kendler, K. S., Aggen, S. H., Werner, M., & Fried, E. I. (2022). A topography of 21 phobic fears: Network analysis in an epidemiological sample of adult twins. Psychological Medicine, 52(13), 2588-2595. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8190176/ NIMH (n.d). Social Anxiety Disorder. Retrieved on November 30, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/social-anxietydisorder#:~:text=An%20estimated%2012.1%25%20of%20U.S.,some%20time%20in %20their%20lives Sewart, A. R., Niles, A. N., Burklund, L. J., Saxbe, D. E., Lieberman, M. D., & Craske, M. G. (2019). Examining positive and negative affect as outcomes and moderators of cognitive-behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for social anxiety disorder. Behavior therapy, 50(6), 1112-1124. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6866675/ White, S. W., Simmons, G. L., Gotham, K. O., Conner, C. M., Smith, I. C., Beck, K. B., & Mazefsky, C. A. (2018). Psychosocial treatments targeting anxiety and depression in adolescents and adults on the autism spectrum: Review of the latest research and recommended future directions. Current psychiatry reports, 20(10), 1-10. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11920-018-0949-0
