DWI-1003n. Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) for Nurses

2 CE Contact Hours
Course Duration: Self-paced (estimated completion time 2 hours)

This course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for Registered Nurses as required by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP 18037.

Author

Wendy J. Stone, PsyD, MFT, RN, is a Doctor of Psychology, licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Dr. Stone has more than 35 years of experience serving patients in a variety of roles, including nursing, marriage/family counseling, education, and psychiatric care. Dr. Stone currently provides psychological counseling for a variety of patient profiles both in-person and via videoconferencing. She is also a seasoned medical administrator and professional trainer and educator. As the author of an expanding portfolio of professional education and self-help materials, Dr. Stone continues to increase the range of her service to patients, professionals, and the community at large.

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth exploration of Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), covering its definition, symptoms, causes, prevalence, impact on daily life, and available treatments. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of SAD, enabling them to recognize, empathize with, and support individuals affected by this common mental health condition.

Educational Goals

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Define Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and understand its diagnostic criteria
2. Differentiate SAD from similar disorders
3. Recognize the clinical manifestations and impact of SAD on patients and their families
4. Use evidence-based assessment tools and strategies for diagnosing SAD
5. Select appropriate treatment modalities for SAD patients
6. Apply knowledge gained in this course to enhance their professional practice

Measurable Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• State the percentage of any population estimated to experience SAD at some point in their lives
• Describe what is considered first-line treatment for SAD
• Name the medication class commonly prescribed for SAD
• Explain how individuals can build self-esteem and confidence while living with SAD
• Describe the type of treatment option you should encourage individuals with SAD to seek
• Define implicit bias

Course Outline

1. Introduction to Social Anxiety Disorder (10 minutes)
   1. Definition and diagnostic criteria
   2. Differentiating normal shyness from SAD
   3. Overview of prevalence rates
2. Symptoms and Impact of Social Anxiety Disorder (15 minutes)
   1. Physical symptoms (e.g., sweating, trembling)
   2. Cognitive symptoms (e.g., negative self-talk, fear of judgment)
   3. Behavioral symptoms (e.g., avoidance of social situations)
   4. Impact on daily life, relationships, and academic/work performance
3. Causes and Risk Factors (10 minutes)
   1. Biological factors (e.g., genetics, brain chemistry)
   2. Psychological factors (e.g., past trauma, negative experiences)
   3. Environmental factors (e.g., upbringing, societal pressures)
4. Assessment and Diagnosis (15 minutes)
   1. Screening tools and assessment measures
   2. Importance of accurate diagnosis
   3. Co-occurring disorders and differential diagnosis
5. Treatment Approaches (15 minutes)
   1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques
   2. Exposure therapy
   3. Medication options (e.g., SSRIs)
   4. Self-help strategies and support groups
6. Living with Social Anxiety Disorder (15 minutes)
   1. Coping mechanisms for managing symptoms
   2. Building self-esteem and confidence
   3. Navigating social and professional situations
7. Supporting Individuals with Social Anxiety Disorder (10 minutes)
   1. Understanding and validating their experiences
   2. Effective communication strategies
   3. Creating supportive environments
8. Implicit Bias (10 minutes)
   1. Definition of Implicit Bias
   2. Comparison of Implicit and Explicit Bias
   3. Impact of Implicit Bias
   4. Strategies to Cope with Implicit Bias
9. Final Test (20 minutes)
   1. Comprehensive test covering all topics in the syllabus — passing grade (70%) is required for Certificate of Completion

How to Take This Course

1. Review the course material for each lesson and take the lesson quiz. Each quiz will be reviewed upon submission to show the correct and incorrect answers. The correct answers for incorrect responses are provided to aid in effective deep learning. 
2. Review the graded quiz results for the lesson and note your correct and incorrect answers.
3. Revisit the sections in the lesson pertaining to your incorrect answers and when you are comfortable that you understand the material, retake the quiz. You may take lesson quizzes as many times as necessary until you feel that you have mastered the material.
4. Lesson quizzes do not count toward course completion.
5. When you have completed all lessons in the course, access the Final Test section and take the test. You may review all of your answers while you are working on the Final Test, but once you submit your answers, you will not be able to change them.
6. The Final Test will be graded immediately. A score of 70% correct answers is required for a Certificate of Completion.
7. If you do not achieve a 70% score on the first attempt, you may retake the Final Test up to two more times (a total of 3 attempts). It is highly recommended that you review the lessons related to your incorrect answers before you retake the Final Test.
8. You will be invited to download your Certificate of Completion upon achieving a 70% score or higher on the Final Test and completing the Course Evaluation.