Multimedia | Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA

OCD Facts

Dr. Elspeth Bell, a licensed psychologist at the Behavior Therapy Center of Greater Washington, speaks on behalf of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. She describes the mental illness OCD, which stands for obsessive-compulsive disorder. OCD is a serious and often debilitating chronic anxiety disorder that causes people to have unwanted and intrusive thoughts, or obsessions. To try to ease their anxiety or distress, people with OCD often repeatedly perform ritualistic behaviors and routines, called compulsions.

Social Anxiety Disorder in Adults

Adults with social anxiety disorder often feel alone and ashamed, and they may have few or no social or romantic relationships. People may have more than one anxiety disorder, as well as depression. Seek the help of a qualified health professional if you feel your anxieties are disrupting your daily life.

Social Anxiety Disorder in Children and Teens

The typical age of onset is 13 years old, but children younger than 8 or 9 can also suffer. Symptoms may be so extreme that they disrupt daily life. Children, adolescents, and teens with this disorder may have few or no friends. They may not participate in class or play at recess.

Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

A health professional can provide a diagnosis and individualized treatment plan for social anxiety disorder. Both cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are scientifically proven effective treatments. Your therapist should be able to discuss how long it will take for you to begin to experience relief.

Social Anxiety Disorder Symptoms

Those with social anxiety disorder experience an intense fear of being scrutinized and negatively evaluated by others in social or performance situations. Some literally feel sick. Physical symptoms commonly include blushing, profuse sweating, trembling, nausea or other gastrointestinal distress, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, dizziness or lightheadedness, headaches, and feelings of detachment and loss of self-control.

My Age of Anxiety

Drawing on his own long-standing battle with anxiety, Scott Stossel, author of My Age of Anxiety: Fear, Hope, Dread, and the Search for Peace of Mind, presents the history and efforts to understand an affliction that is pervasive yet often misunderstood. Watch his conversation with talk show host Mimi Geerges.

Glass People

In "Glass People," filmmakers John Berardo and Brian Frager, USC School of Cinematic Arts, illustrate college-age anxiety and the great value of finding professional help.
This short film premiered at the 2013 Anxiety and Depression Conference in La Jolla, California.

Helping a Loved One With PTSD

Support from family and friends is important to the recovery process, but it’s not the cure. Getting better takes hard work, mostly from the person with the disorder, and patience from everyone involved. With appropriate treatment from a mental health professional, a person can learn to manage or overcome PTSD.

Watch here.

Funding for this video provided by a grant from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)

Effective Treatment for PTSD

Effective treatments for PTSD include exposure therapy, including virtual reality treatment, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), as well as medications. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness. Funding for this video provided by a grant from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)

Watch here.

PTSD in the Military

Men exposed to high levels of combat are likely to experience acute stress and symptoms of PTSD. Women in the military are at high risk for exposure to traumatic events, especially during war. They are also at risk of exposure to sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Also, children with parents deployed in Iraq or Afghanistan show elevations in anxiety and depression.

Funding for this video provided by a grant from the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP)

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