SILVER SPRING, MD, SEPTEMBER 2004- The ADAA is launching a new series of regional workshops for clinicians. These workshops are designed to address issues of proper diagnoses and treatments, as well as access-to-care issues; stigma and misinformation about mental illness and anxiety; and the lack of sufficiently trained behavioral clinicians in underserved areas of the country.

The first of these workshops will begin on November 4 and 5, 2004 at the Renaissance Seattle and are geared for social workers, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, counselors and other health professionals who interact directly with PTSD and OCD sufferers and their loved ones. These workshops will offer six hours of continuing education credit each.

Treating PTSD: A Practical Forum for Mental Health Professionals
On November 4, 2004, Lori Zoellner, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology at the University of Washington and Elizabeth Vermilyea, MA, Training Director of the Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy of the Sidran Institute will present this full-day workshop on treating PTSD. Dr. Zoellner is an expert in focusing on the prevention and treatment of chronic PTSD and is well recognized in the field of traumatic stress studies. Ms. Vermilyea is dedicated to educating a broad range of professional and public audiences on traumatic stress.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder I: Recognizing & Treating OCD in Your Practice
On November 5, 2004, Jonathan Abramowitz, PhD, Director, OCD/Anxiety Disorders Program of the Mayo Clinic and Bradley Riemann, PhD, Clinical Director of The OCD Center and The Anxiety Disorders Program at Rogers Memorial Hospital will lead this full-day workshop on OCD. Both Dr. Abramowitz and Dr. Riemann are recognized as leading experts in treating and assessing OCD.

Registration for these exclusive workshops is limited to 125 participants each. The cost is $125 in advance (by October 29th) for ADAA members and $150 for nonmembers. Participants will receive a $25 discount for attending both workshops. The registration fee includes all conference sessions, comprehensive educational resources, meals, and continuing education credit. To register, go to www.adaa.org or call 240-485-1001 for more information and registration materials.

About PTSD
PTSD affects 5.2 million Americans and can result from exposure to traumas such as a serious accident, a natural disaster, or a criminal assault. When the aftermath of a traumatic experience interferes with normal functioning, the person may be suffering
from PTSD. People with PTSD suffer severe attacks of terror, which may make them feel like they are going crazy, for no apparent reason. The increasing stress of living in the 21st century, on both a global and personal level, has considerably elevated the number of people who suffer from this disorder.

About OCD
OCD affects 3.3 million Americans. Individuals with OCD are plagued by persistent, recurring thoughts or "obsessions" that reflect exaggerated anxiety or fears and repetitive behaviors or rituals (compulsions) performed by the sufferer.

About the ADAA
The ADAA is the only national, nonprofit partnership of researchers, health care professionals, and individuals dedicated solely to the early diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of anxiety disorders. It is the Association's goal to promote professional and public awareness and understanding of anxiety disorders. It also seeks to increase the availability of effective treatment, reduce the stigma surrounding anxiety disorders, and stimulate research. For more information on the ADAA, or on anxiety disorders, please go to www.adaa.org.