Brief cognitive behavior therapy in patients with social anxiety disorder: a preliminary investigation.
BACKGROUND
Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) is the treatment of choice in anxiety disorders. However, there is little evidence for the effectiveness brief CBT in social anxiety.


OBJECTIVE
We examined the effectiveness of a brief CBT of six sessions in patients with social anxiety disorder.


METHODS
A single case design study baseline; post and 1 month follow-up was adopted.


METHODS
Seven patients with a DSM IV diagnosis of social anxiety underwent 6 weekly sessions of brief CBT. Their diagnosis was confirmed using structured diagnostic interviews. They were assessed at baseline, post and 1-month follow-up on CGI- Severity, Leibowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS), Social Phobia Rating Scale, Brief Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Beck's Depression Inventory.


METHODS
Data were analyzed using the method of clinical significance.


RESULTS
Results indicated that brief CBT was effective in reducing social anxiety in all patients. Brief CBT was also effective in reducing social avoidance and self consciousness. However, brief CBT was not effective in reducing fear of negative evaluation in all patients, suggesting the need for longer duration for cognitive changes in some dysfunctional beliefs.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary case series indicates that brief CBT may be a promising and a cost and time effective approach to managing for social anxiety.
Department of Clinical Psychology, Maharashtra Institute of Mental Health, Sassoon Hospital Campus, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Ravikant G
RG
Pinjarkar
Department of Clinical Psychology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Paulomi M
PM
Sudhir
Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
Suresh Bada
SB
Math
Avoidance single case design; brief CBT; cognitive behavior therapy; social anxiety