What is Social Anxiety Disorder?

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) consists of being fearful of or uncomfortable around others. People with SAD find it hard to be at work or school. Symptoms of SAD include:

• intense fear of doing or saying something embarrassing in front of other people
• being afraid of making a mistake and/or being watched and judged by others
• avoiding doing things you want to do or speaking to others
• worrying for days or weeks before you meet new people
• blushing, sweating, trembling, or feeling nauseous before and when meeting new people
• avoiding social situations and giving speeches
• often drinking to make your social fears less severe



If you have several of the above symptoms, you may have Social Anxiety Disorder


What is a Genetic Disorder?
A genetic disorder is an illness that is inherited or runs in families. Genes are hereditary material made of DNA that is passed from parent to child. Shared genes give family members similar characteristics, such as hair and eye color. Genes may also increase the risk for certain diseases.

So, you’re studying these disorders? Why?
Our team at Columbia, led by Dr. Myrna Weissman, is trying to find the genes that make people more likely to suffer from anxiety disorders, particularly social anxiety disorder. This kind of research can eventually lead to better treatment and prevention strategies for social anxiety disorder.

What does participation involve?
Several steps are involved in participation:
1. A member of our team will ask you questions to determine your eligibility for the study.
2. If you are eligible and want to participate, we will ask you to sign a consent form and fill out two brief questionnaires.
3. After you sign and return the consent forms and questionnaires, you will undergo a detailed interview with a trained clinical interviewer regarding your psychiatric and medical history.
4. We will get blood from you.

All of this can be done from the comfort of your own home. The interview can be conducted over the telephone, and we have a service that will come to you for the blood draw. We even reimburse people who participate $75 when they complete all of the steps.

All information will be kept completely confidential.

Can I participate?

If you have the symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder
and
are 18-65 years old

Please contact us! You could be eligible to participate in our study. Your participation could help us find the genes for social anxiety disorder.

Columbia GAFS
Kathryn Betts
Michael Machemer
David Cassanelli
1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 24
New York, NY 10032
Phone: 212-543-6520 or
212-543-5078/5020
Email: gafs@childpsych.columbia.edu

We need to remind Internet users that we can not guarantee the confidentiality of inquiries submitted via email. Caution should be exercised when sending information in this format.

IRB Protocol #4495

http://www.nyspi.org