Review of The shyness and social anxiety workbook.

Abstract

MARTIN M. ANTONY and RICHARD P. SWINSON The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook Oakland, CA: New Harbinger Publications Inc., 245 pages (ISBN 1-57224-216-7, C$24.95, Softcover) Reviewed by LYNN E. ALDEN Nearly every person experiences social anxiety in some situations, and for 3 to 4% of us, social anxiety causes significant impairment and reduces the quality of life by inhibiting friendship development and career advancement (e.g., Safren, Heimberg, Brown, & Holle, 1997; Schneier et al., 1994). Despite the prevalence of social anxiety, there continue to be relatively few settings that offer specialized treatment for this condition, particularly for individuals who live outside of major metropolitan areas. Therefore, books that provide information and guidance for people with social anxiety are a much-needed resource. Unfortunately, relatively few self-help books completely meet the needs of these individuals - some books are overly academic, others overwhelm readers with details. When asked to recommend readings to individuals who suffer from social phobia or who have socially anxious children or friends, I often find myself hesitating as to where to direct people. Therefore, it was a pleasure to read this workbook by Drs. Antony and Swinson. Designed to address the concerns of people whose lives are impaired by social anxiety, the volume provides a clear, comprehensive, and sophisticated self-- help guide. The volume is divided into two sections. Part 1 consists of three chapters that present information to increase readers' understanding of social anxiety. The first chapter defines anxiety and the related constructs of worry, fear, and panic, and then goes on to discuss social anxiety in detail. In addition to discussing how social anxiety can inhibit relationships and career prospects, it also describes social phobia and avoidant personality disorder as clinical conditions and helps readers begin to refine their understanding of how social anxiety affects their lives. Chapter 2 outlines the role of biological and learning processes in the onset of social anxiety. This chapter is particularly notable for presenting genetic and biochemical processes in a reader-friendly manner. Chapter 3 uses a series of worksheets to guide readers through a self-assessment process to identify feared situations, factors that moderate symptom intensity, and their own characteristic cognitive and behavioural responses to anxiety-provoking events. This chapter does a particularly nice job presenting the beliefs, predictions, and negative expectations that often contribute to social fears. Part II focuses on strategies to overcome social anxiety The section begins with a description of the two major approaches to treatment, medication, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, and provides a balanced discussion of the advantages and limitations of each method. Chapter 5 presents a clear, concise layman's guide to medication that will enhance readers' knowledge of the various pharmaceutical options and increase their ability to talk with their physicians about pharmacotherapy. In the remaining five chapters, the authors focus on cognitive and behavioural strategies for overcoming social fears. Chapter 6 provides examples of common negative beliefs and predictions related to social anxiety, and discusses how to correct inaccurate and catastrophic cognitions. Chapters 7 and 8 explain the concept of behavioural exposure and provide a step-by-step guide to conducting exposure exercises. Chapter 9 introduces the idea of interoceptive exposure and discusses how exposure to uncomfortable physical sensations can help reduce social panic attacks and other problems related to physiological symptoms. …