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Psy 270 Week 5 Case Studies Of Social Anxiety Disorder

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Consider this scenario: Jane is seated in class when her teacher calls upon her to answer a question. Upon her peers turning their attention to her, she feels herself begin to sweat, her heart rate increases, and a wave of nausea hits her. In that moment, Jane is experiencing symptoms of social anxiety disorder (“Social anxiety disorder,” 2016). While many people find it easy to interact with their peers, this can be a challenging task for someone diagnosed with social anxiety disorder. Similarly, other phobias also exaggerate the threat that one fears, and this sometimes interferes with the way the individual goes through life. Due to my prior, vague understanding of anxiety disorders, as well as knowing people who live with them, I selected …show more content…

To be diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, the American Psychological Association (2013) requires that the individual must consistently become anxious in anxiety-provoking situations, such as social interactions, being observed by others, or performing. Interestingly, many individuals diagnosed with SAD would like engage in social situations, however they fear displaying panic-like symptoms in front of others, similarly to agoraphobia (Milosevic & McCabe, 2015). Finally, the fears must also cause the individual distress in their day-to-day …show more content…

While it is unusual for agoraphobia to be diagnosed in children (American Psychological Association, 2013), it is critical for diagnosed adolescents to receive treatment due to risk of depression, substance abuse, and lower well-being later in life (Cornacchio, Chou, Sacks, Pincus, & Comer, 2015). In addition, agoraphobia is twice as common in females than in males (American Psychological Association, 2013).
At a higher rate than agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder can be found in 7% of the U.S. population in a 12 month prevalence. The American Psychological Association (2013) found that prevalence is lower as people get older, as well as that SAD is diagnosed in more women than men, a difference that is better seen in adolescents. Additionally, SAD is found in higher rates in Native Americans in comparison to other races (American Psychological Association, 2013).
Research found in the DSM-5 suggests that diagnoses rates for specific phobias within a 12 month prevalence are between 7%-9%. In adolescents, prevalence rates are at 5%, and in teenagers, 16%. While women are found to experience specific phobias at a higher rate than men, it is important to note that there are specific phobias which affect both men and women at equal rates, such as blood-injection-injury (American Psychological Association, 2013).

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