The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of Social Anxiety Disorder

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), characterized by excessive fear of social or performance situations, is among the most common mental disorders. The majority of patients affected by SAD describe moderate–to–severe impairment across various areas of their lives, including education, employment, and relationships. Research on SAD and its effects has greatly advanced in recent years, and it consistently demonstrates successful treatment of the disorder.  This unique handbook is a response to this recent exponential growth of research, and the many resulting changes that have occurred within the field; it newly synthesizes the wealth of information which has accumulated on SAD, as well as several cutting edge treatments which have yet to be featured in a handbook on this topic, and outlines the future directions of research. It is also the first to offer in depth coverage of personality factors in social anxiety disorder, and multicultural issues in the diagnosis, case conceptualization, and treatment of the disorder. Leading international investigators discuss updated and extended theoretical models and cutting–edge findings on etiological factors, developmental and diversity issues, optimal assessment approaches, symptomatology, areas warranting enhanced empirical attention, and various empirically–supported treatments pertaining to SAD.

Justin W. Weeks is the Director of the Center for Evaluation and Treatment of Anxiety (CETA) at Ohio University, USA. Dr. Weeks is the author of a number of scientific publications and book chapters, the majority of which focus specifically on social anxiety and social anxiety disorder. Dr. Weeks is also well known for his work on fear of positive evaluation as a proposed core element of social anxiety.