Good news. Research from Macquarie University suggests certain self-help treatments for social anxiety disorder may be just as effective as more traditional, therapist only treatments.

This is critical as mental health conditions such as anxiety growing in prevalence across the globe and there is need to have more innovative, cost-effective and accessible treatments.

Recently published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, the study investigated the efficacy of pure self-help through written materials for severe social phobia and self-help augmented by five group sessions with a therapist. These conditions were compared with a waiting-list control and standard, therapist-led group therapy.

The results were encouraging. It actually yielded the same effect -

the 24-week follow-up assessment augmented self-help with five therapist-led group sessions resulted in marked improvements in symptoms of social phobia and life interference that were as great as those produced by standard group treatment

These results gives great implications for public health. Imagine the possibility of getting the same level of help with printed materials at low cost easily rather than be on the waiting list of expert therapists at higher cost and limited accessibility.

Note: This story has been adapted from material provided by Macquarie University.Via ScienceDaily



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