Demographics, treatment seeking, and diagnoses of anxiety support group participants

Two peer-led anxiety disorder support groups were surveyed to ascertain characteristics of individuals seeking the services of these groups. Both groups had received information and consultation from the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. One hundred and eighty-four individuals were interviewed for diagnosis by structured clinical interview; demographics and treatment-seeking behaviors were ascertained by self-report questionnaires. Both groups surveyed were composed of more females than males and were predominantly Caucasian. Treatment was most frequently sought from psychiatrists, psychologists, and family doctors. One fourth of the sample had sought help for anxiety in a hospital emergency room. Eighty-eight subjects (94%) at the Dallas site and 57 subjects (61%) at the Durham site met criteria for at least one current anxiety or affective disorder. More than half of those who met criteria for current panic disorder with agoraphobia also met criteria for at least one other anxiety disorder, or for major depression. Approximately one third of each support group met criteria for current social phobia. Severity of social phobia symptoms was assessed by four scales. An increased risk of substance abuse was noted for individuals with a diagnosis of social phobia, as compared with diagnoses of other anxiety disorders.