Anxiety Disorders Experts Address Growing Mental Health Concerns at the Anxiety Disorders Association of America's 26th Annual Conference

Silver Spring, MD (January 17, 2006) - Recognizing the devastating mental health effects left by recent natural disasters, the ongoing war on terror and other traumatic international events, the Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) will hold its 26th Annual Conference, "Understanding Risk & Resilience in Anxiety Disorders: Implications for Research and Clinical Care," at the Hyatt Regency in Miami, FL, March 23-26, 2006.

The conference will include sessions addressing such unique topics as the treatment of complicated grief and approaches for intervention with children in the aftermath of hurricanes, conducted by Wendy K. Silverman, PhD, ABPP Child and Family Psychosocial Research Center, Florida International University.

"Earthquakes, hurricanes and other disasters have greatly affected millions of people around the world this past year," said Jerilyn Ross, MA, LICSW, president and CEO of ADAA. "ADAA is thrilled to host and lead these discussions that will not only have a long-lasting impact on the medical community at large but also on local communities that have experienced grave devastation."

The only meeting exclusively dedicated to anxiety disorders, ADAA's 26th Annual Conference will consist of over 50 presentations and 200 poster abstracts focusing on the treatment of anxiety disorders, co-occurring depression and medical illnesses, sleep, single treatment, evidence-based treatments and other novel approaches, neuroimaging and pathophysiology. Sessions will focus on anxiety disorders in children, the elderly and other special populations. The conference brings together over 700 leading clinicians and researchers from around the world to discuss the causes, diagnosis, innovative treatments and management of anxiety disorders.

Dennis S. Charney, MD, Mount Sinai School of Medicine will deliver the keynote address, entitled "The Psychobiology of Resilience to Extreme Stress: Implications for the Treatment and Prevention of Anxiety Disorders. Dr. Charney is one of the nation's foremost investigators in the neurobiology and treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, and one of the most highly cited neuroscientists over the last decade.

In addition to the sessions and exhibits, ADAA will host its 3rd Annual Silent Auction, which raises funds for educational and outreach activities. Bidding will take place on-site and on ADAA's website, www.adaa.org.

The Anxiety Disorders Association of America (ADAA) is the leading national, non-profit organization dedicated to the early diagnosis, treatment and cure of anxiety disorders. ADAA offers free educational information and resources on anxiety disorders, local treatment providers, self-help groups, self-tests, clinical trials and more. ADAA is the unified voice for anxiety disorders and promotes the message that anxiety disorders are real, serious and treatable.