social anxiety

2007 APR 9 — Fresh data on social phobia are presented in the report “Group cohesion in cognitive-behavioral group therapy for social phobia.” According to recent research from Toronto, Canada, “Cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) for Social Phobia is effective in both group and individual formats. However, the impact of group processes on treatment efficacy remains relatively unexplored.”
“In this study we examined group cohesion ratings made by individuals at the midpoint and endpoint of CBT groups for social phobia. Symptom measures were also completed at the beginning and end of treatment. We found that cohesion ratings significantly increased over the course of the group and were associated with improvement over time in social anxiety symptoms, as well as improvement on measures of general anxiety, depression, and functional impairment,” wrote M. Taube-Schiff and colleagues, Princess Margaret Hospital.

The researchers concluded: “Findings are consistent with the idea that changes in group cohesion are related to social anxiety symptom reduction and, therefore, speak to the importance of nonspecific therapeutic factors in treatment outcome.”

Taube-Schiff and colleagues published their study in Behaviour Research and Therapy (Group cohesion in cognitive-behavioral group therapy for social phobia. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 2007;45(4):687-98).

For additional information, contact M. Taube-Schiff, Princess Margaret Hospital, Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care Department, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Publisher contact information for the journal Behaviour Research and Therapy is: Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, England.

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Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue that has resulted in a number of deaths and criminal activity. As a result of the growing trend in prescription drug abuse, pharmacies and doctors have had to take extra precautions when issuing prescriptions for certain types of medications. Unfortunately, this has made it more difficult for those that truly need the medication to meet their health needs.

Although nearly every type of prescription drug is likely to be abused in one way or another, there are some types of prescription drugs that are abused more frequently than others. These include opioids, central nervous system depressants, and stimulants.

Opioids

Opiods are medications such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and mepridine. These medications are better known by the commercial names of OxyContin, Vicodin, and Demerol. These medications are meanth to help relieve pain, coughs, and diarrhea. Those that abuse these medications, however, do so in order to escape reality by preventing the brain from receiving pain messages. As a result, those who abuse opioids experience a “high” feeling similar to other illegal drugs.

Central Nervous System Depressants

Central nervous system depressants are drugs such as pentobarbital sodium, diazepam, and alprazolam, better known as Nembutal, Valium, and Xanax, respectively. These medications are used to treat those suffering from tension, anxiety, sleep disorders, and panic attacks. Those who abuse these drugs do so because of the calming effect they create.

Stimulants

Examples of stimulants that are commonly abused include methylphenidate, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, and atomoxetine. These drugs are better known as Ritalin, Adderrall, and Straterra. These prescription drugs are used to treat ADHD, narcolepsy, obesity, depression, and asthma. Those who abuse them do so in order to increase their attention span, alertness, and energy levels. For these reasons, stimulants are most commonly abused by people looking to lose weight or by college students wanting to pull an “all nighter” in order to study for a test.

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