Reading Roundup | September October 1, 2021
Posted October 1, 2021
This week is a look at social anxiety in young people and skinpicking and other OCD-related disorders.
“How Young People’s Social Anxiety Has Worsened in the Pandemic” — Eduardo Medina, NY Times (Since 9/27/2021) [article]
This article discussing the complicated impacts of Covid via the social isolation it necessitated for many individuals, with already-present Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) in many young people. The article notes that SAD affects 9-10% of young adults and adolescents (ages 13-25) on average, but an increase is anticipated due to the pandemic. At the same time, adolescence and young adulthood are curcial times for building social skills, making the effects all the more concerning. Read more about SAD on our Anxiety page: https://www.citycenterpsychotherapy.com/anxiety-treatment-center
“Self-focused attention and safety behaviours maintain social anxiety in adolescents: An experimental study” — Eleanor Leigh, Kenny Chiu, & David M. Clark, PLOS ONE (2/26/2021) [article]
More on the social anxiety front among youths, as indicated by the title, a recent study has found that self-focus and safety behaviors play a large role in adolescent social anxiety.
“‘Fighting the Shame of Skin Picking” — Lindsey Gellman, NY Times (9/5/2019) [article]
This article (actually from 2019 but still helpful today!) discusses Excoriation (skinpicking) Disorder, a less talked-about type of OCD. Because it is not often discussed, individuals like the ones featured in this article are often unaware that they are not alone, and thus tend to feel ashamed and hide their tendencies, leading to belated treatment, or never receiving treatment at all. The article also highlights Habit Reversal Training (HRT), an effective treatment method. For more information about Excoriation Disorder and similar OCD-related disorders, like Trichotillomania (hairpulling), take a look here and reach out to us today for treatment options: https://www.citycenterpsychotherapy.com/ocd-treatment