Focus On Families at Public Programs

Many people feel embarrassed, afraid, or alone when they have an anxiety disorder.

The 50-some individuals who attended the ADAA's Public Education Program March 19-20 in Seattle, however, learned they were not alone and that help is available.

The day-and-a-half program, "Anxiety Disorders: Help and Hope," gave attendees an opportunity to learn about treatments and coping strategies, while featuring several powerful speakers including Peter Roy-Byrne, MD, University of Washington, Seattle; C. Alec Pollard, PhD, St. Louis Behavioral Medicine Institute; Jonathan Grayson, PhD, The Anxiety & Agoraphobia Treatment Center; and many others.

This first day provided an overview of anxiety disorders, treatment options for the disorders, personal stories of triumph over an anxiety disorder, discussion groups on obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, and panic disorder, an opportunity to meet the experts, and a presentation on where we go from here.

The following morning featured a special session for parents and children. Parents and family members learned how to help anxious children more effectively cope and manage their conditions, while children ages 9 to 18 participated in fun activities, allowing them to talk with other kids and ask experts everything they ever wanted to know about dealing with worries and fears.