PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT TO PERSONS WITH SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER WITH COMORBID DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Abstract

Purpose. The purpose of the article is to study a program of low-intensity interventions for emotionalstabilization and prevention of psychosocial functioning disorders in persons with social anxiety disorderand comorbid depressive syndrome. Methods. The study was conducted from 2020 to 2022, with 388 peoplestudied. Screening interviews were conducted using The MINI: International Neuropsychiatric Interviewand the Social Phobia Inventory. Evaluation of psychopathological changes and changes in psychosocial functioning was carried out one month after the end of the program and six months later. The psychosocialsupport intervention program was developed based on the recommendations of the low-intensity cognitivebehavioralmodel. It consisted of six online sessions: twice a week lasting up to 50 minutes for four weeksand one booster session to address the risks of relapse. Results. The results showed that the program helpsto reduce the tendency to exaggerate/underestimate symptomatic distress and emotional avoidance, increasesacceptance and awareness of change, and strengthens helpful beliefs and corresponding corrective strategies.The results of the 6-month follow-up indicate a statistically significant decrease in distress, due to socialanxiety and comorbid depressive symptoms, and a decrease in avoidance of emotional experience. It was notedthat acceptance, awareness, and responsibility as elements of acquired corrective skills reduce the burdenof dysfunctional negative beliefs about oneself, interpersonal sensitivity to incongruent values, and socialwithdrawal. Low-intensity techniques, based on a cognitive-behavioral model offered online, demonstratedeffectiveness and sustainability of effects when used regularly in everyday life. The results obtained in the studyare consistent with the effectiveness of low-intensity CBT programs in previous studies. Conclusion. A programof low-intensity interventions for emotional stabilization and prevention of psychosocial functioning disordersis promising and flexible; its recommendations and techniques can be implemented in everyday life as partof caring for one’s psychological well-being.