Overview

The present study is a controlled trial that seeks to examine the feasibility, acceptability, mechanism, and efficacy of a recently developed computer-based therapy in individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD)

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Males and females between the ages of 18 to 60
• Current primary diagnosis of SAD
• Score of at least 50 on the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (self-rated version)
• Fluent in English
• Willing and able to give informed written consent
• Ability to participate responsibly in the protocol
• Normal or corrected-to-normal vision

Exclusion Criteria:

• Present or past psychotic episode, psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder
• Current severe depression
• Suicidal ideation or behavior
• Current diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, manic episode or tic disorder
• Current or past organic mental disorder, seizure disorder, epilepsy or brain injury
• Current unstable or untreated medical illness
• Severe alcohol use disorder, severe cannabis use disorder, and any severity of other substance use disorder (except nicotine use disorders)
• Use of psychiatric medication in the past month other than a stable dose of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for at least 3 months
• Any concurrent cognitive behavioral therapy or other psychotherapy that was initiated in the past 3 months
• Pregnancy, or plans to become pregnant during the period of the study (will be assessed by urine)
• Contraindication to MRI scanning (Paramagnetic metallic implants or devices contraindicating magnetic resonance imaging or any other non-removable paramagnetic metal in the body)
  1. pacemaker
  2. paramagnetic metallic prosthesis
  3. surgical clips
  4. shrapnel
  5. necessity for constant medicinal patch
  6. some tattoos
• Inability to tolerate MRI scanning procedures (i.e., severe obesity, claustrophobia)