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An Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Perspective on Social Anxiety Disorder

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Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Approaches to Anxiety

Part of the book series: Series in Anxiety and Related Disorders ((SARD))

Abstract

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is a common and often debilitating anxiety disorder. The cardinal features of SAD are anxiety in and avoidance of situations involving interpersonal behavior, social performance, or both. Pathological social anxiety is characterized by extreme concerns over humiliation, embarrassment, or similar emotional consequences resulting from fear of negative evaluation by others. The disorder is associated with serious impairment in multiple areas of functioning, including romantic and nonromantic relationships, academic functioning, and occupational functioning (e.g., Davidson, Hughes, George, & Blazer, 1993; Schneier, Johnson, Hornig, Liebowitz, & Weissman, 1992). SAD is also associated with increased risk of comorbid psychopathology, especially depression other anxiety disorders and substance abuse (e.g., Magee, Eaton, Wittchen, McGonagle,& Kessler, 1996; Schneier et al., 1992).

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Herbert, J.D., Cardaciotto, L.A. (2005). An Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Perspective on Social Anxiety Disorder. In: Orsillo, S.M., Roemer, L. (eds) Acceptance and Mindfulness-Based Approaches to Anxiety. Series in Anxiety and Related Disorders. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-25989-9_8

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