This review evaluates five explanations for why social phobics perceive a discrepancy between performance requirements and their own abilities. There is little evidence to suggest that social phobia is associated with perfectionistic performance standards (possibility 1), perfectionistic standards in social situations (possibility 2), or perceptions of perfectionistic standards in others (possibility 3). Possibility 4, that social phobics set rigid performance standards, requires additional research. Support is provided for possibility 5, however, which proposes that social phobics perceive their own performance abilities negatively. Subsequently, it is concluded that low self-related beliefs account for the discrepancy between social phobics' perceptions of performance requirements, and their perceptions of their performance abilities. This conclusion is discussed in the context of contrasting models of social phobia, and implications for treatment are considered.

Randomised controlled outcome studies have demonstrated the efficacy of imaginal desensitisation in inpatient settings. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a prerecorded audiocassette version of the imaginal desensitisation procedure that was designed for home-based use in reducing gambling urges and behaviours on a sample of diagnosed pathological gamblers who sought treatment at a university teaching hospital at 2-month follow-up. Pretreatment to 2-month follow-up repeated measures revealed a significant reduction in visual analogue scale ratings of urge, preoccupation and perceived self-control over gambling; indices of actual gambling behaviour; and psychometric measures of anxiety, depression and impulsivity. A prerecorded audiocassette version of imaginal desensitisation for home use represents a cost-effective approach in the management of pathological gambling.

Recent cognitive models of trauma response predict that negative trauma appraisals are central to the development of psychopathological stress reactions. Fifty-nine civilian survivors of motor vehicle accidents (MVA; n = 24) and nonsexual assaults (n = 35) were assessed within 4 weeks of their traumatic event for acute stress disorder (ASD), prior traumatic events and prior mental health contact, and were administered the Anxiety Sensitivity Index and the Posttraumatic Cognitions Inventory. Participants who were diagnosed with ASD displayed more maladaptive appraisals about their functioning following their trauma and reported higher levels of concern regarding anxiety symptoms than those who were not diagnosed with ASD. Negative beliefs were strongly associated with acute stress severity. These findings are discussed in the context of cognitive mechanisms that may influence maladaptive adjustment following trauma.

The efficacy of cognitive—behavioural therapy (CBT) for the treatment of childhood anxiety has mainly been demonstrated in university-clinic settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of CBT for the treatment of childhood anxiety in a community mental health service, compared with standard treatments (‘Treatment as Usual’ [TAU]) 'child psychotherapy, family therapy and eclectic treatments. Fifty-four children with anxiety disorders, aged from 7 to 14 years, were randomly assigned to either a CBT or TAU group. CBT and the standard treatments were provided by 18 experienced therapists, and the mean number of treatment sessions was 12. Baseline and follow-up measures at 3, 6 and 12 months included an interview based on criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) that was conducted by a clinical psychologist who was blind to the treatment conditions, and standardised anxiety measures (parent, child and teacher reports). Significant improvements were found on all anxiety measures over time, but no significant differences were found between CBT and TAU. The challenge of conducting such research in community settings is discussed.

Little is known about the prevalence of having been bullied in adults with versus adults without an anxiety disorder, so a pilot comparison was undertaken. A questionnaire on recall of having been bullied was completed by 81 attenders of a behavioural psychotherapy unit for anxiety disorders and by 81 attenders of a dental clinic who had no psychiatric problems but who were similar to the anxiety disorder group in gender, marital and employment characteristics. Recall of being bullied was significantly more common in the anxiety disorder referrals than in the dental patients. Results warrant testing of whether being bullied as a child increases the likelihood of developing an anxiety disorder in later life, controlling for demographic, personality and ethnic variables.