Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is an abnormal and chronic fear of social situations occurring in everyday life. The three clusters are significantly different on a numerical rating scale for social anxiety symptom intensity (LIS), social phobia symptom intensity (SPI), and social anxiety disorder symptom intensity (DSGI). Post hoc analyses showed that higher trait-anxiety was associated with higher levels of social phobia, and that lower levels of social anxiety were associated with lower levels of SIAS and STAI-T. However, these relationships between trait anxiety and social phobia remained significant only when the other two domains (interpersonal, intrapersonal) of this complex anxiety disorder were simultaneously examined.
High levels of social phobia is typically accompanied by a number of physical symptoms such as blushing, heart palpitations, nausea, perspiring, trembling, dry mouth, and dry throat. In this exploratory study, the relation between these domain-specific physical symptoms and social anxiety was examined using the dot-probe task. The dot-probe task is well known in research on mental health and cognitive function and involves a visual fixation point, followed by a series of six predefined phrases or sentences. The items are presented on a computer screen in four different colors, and the subject is required to look at each item, then touch it, and keep their eye's fixation on the item until the screen shows another item. Upon seeing another item, the subject has to move their eyes to that location and repeat the process.
Thematic reappraisal of high levels of social anxiety can be helpful in patients with SAD. Applying goodies, specifically, to high levels of social anxiety is an effective treatment for social anxiety. Goodhew is defined by Halliday as "an attention-based, directed awareness of bodily sensations, with an avoidance emphasis." Applying goodies therapy to patients with social anxiety disorder, is intended to alert the subject's attention to physical sensations that may be a trigger of their anxiety. In doing so, goodies encourages patients to take control over their bodies and give control to their feelings instead of automatically going into avoidance mode. Thus, it helps patients gain control over their emotions rather than turning their emotions over to others.
In addition to reappraisal, thematic exploration of physically provoking situations is also beneficial for patients with social anxiety. Thematic exploration is useful because it engages both conscious and unconscious processes. In this way, thematic exploration engages both cognitive and emotional processes, helping patients gain greater insight into their symptoms of SAD.
Thematic exploration also uses two types of stimuli: Pictures and objects. In the goodies test, the patient is presented with a black figure on the screen while a dot-probe moves across the screen in a forward direction, emitting light when it passes through a series of holes. The patient is required to look at the dot-probe while ignoring all other visual stimuli. After a short amount of time, the patient is required to look at the dot-probe again. This procedure tests the ability of the person to ignore visual stimuli in order to focus on the approaching dot.
A different procedure employs a different kind of stimulus: a glare from a high-flier, which represents an angry face. In the glare, the patient is required to look directly at the source of irritation, which is typically bright in color. While looking at the angry face, the patient must pay very close attention to their angry facial expression and vocal volume. After a brief rest, the patient is required to look at a fixation point without their eyes moving toward or away from the target.
The last part of the test requires patients to look at a fixation point while ignoring any other visual or auditory distractions. During this portion of the test, patients are instructed to observe the color of the fixation and to look at it for a certain amount of time without pausing, shifting, turning, or looking away. These behaviors will help the researchers understand how to best teach people to control their attention toward threatening stimuli in social settings.
Lower levels of social phobia are certainly a serious medical problem. However, many people who suffer from this condition make the process of seeking treatment for it as their top priority. In addition to medication, patients may also benefit from psychotherapy in order to learn techniques to overcome their social anxiety. The use of these two treatments in tandem can significantly improve patients' quality of life.
