Abstract

INTRODUCTION

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISORDER IN YOUTH

TREATMENT PROCEDURES

RESEARCH SUPPORT FOR EFFICACY

REFERENCES

Discussion
Board

Social phobia is a relatively understudied and under treated disorder in youth, yet recent epidemiological and clinical studies suggest this disorder is prevalent among youth and warrants serious attention by practitioners and researchers. Advances in methodologies for the assessment and accurate diagnosis of social phobia have led to earlier recognition, along with an understanding of comorbidity patterns and developmental factors influencing the onset and course of the disorder. For example, social phobia may be complicated by the comorbidity of selective mutism or depression in youth. Also, social phobia has been implicated as a risk factor for the development of substance abuse disorders during adolescence. In addition, parents can inadvertently become involved in the maintenance of this anxiety disorder, serving as a 'safety signal' for their children and assisting the child or adolescent in avoidance of anxiety-provoking situations. Cognitive Behavioral Group Treatment for Adolescent Social Phobia (CBGT-A; Albano, Marten, Holt, Heimberg & Barlow, 1995) was developed specifically for youth and is based upon the work of Heimberg and colleagues, along with incorporating empirically validated methods for treating shyness in adolescents. This presentation will provide an overview of the CBGT-A program and preliminary outcomes for this and related protocols under developmen. Future directions for treatment research will be discussed.

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Presentation Number SAalbano0303
Keywords: social phobia, adolescents, treatment, cognitive therapy, behavior therapy