News About Social Anxiety from 2008
Updated June 02, 2014.
The following articles were originally posted as blog posts here at About.com. Please note the original dates of publication and that the stories were current as of that date.
TSA Screenings and Social Anxiety Disorder
January 9, 2011
As of November 2010, the Transportation Security Administration introduced new screening procedures in many airports in the United States. These include backscatter x-ray scans and sliding pat-downs.
Backscatter x-rays are viewed by an officer in a remote room who cannot see passengers. The TSA has reported that the images displayed cannot be saved or printed. Scanner images have been called akin to a "virtual strip search".
During sliding pat-downs, TSA officers use the back of their hands to screen areas including breasts and genitals. Passengers are selected for pat-downs if something suspicious appears in the scanner, they refuse to go in the scanner, they set off the metal detector, or they are selected at random. Pat-downs are completed by a TSA officer of the same gender, and travelers can request that they be done in a private room.
Since the introduction of these new procedures, many passengers have come forward with stories of poor treatment by TSA personnel, including insensitivity to medical conditions and biased selection for pat-down.
What do these new TSA procedures mean for those who suffer with social anxiety disorder (SAD)?
What do you think? Have you experienced the new TSA screening procedures? Will these new procedures affect your travel decisions? Would you choose a pat-down over an x-ray?
I have yet to experience them first-hand, but will be traveling in a few weeks. If I do go through either procedure, I will be sure to report back about what it was like.
Further Reading:
NKOTB Member Suffered with Anxiety
February 5, 2011
Ok, I admit it. I have a dark secret that has been haunting me for 20 years. It's not something I openly talk about unless pushed. But it's time to let the cat out of the bag.
I was a NKOTB groupie.
For those of you who don't know, NKOTB stands for New Kids on the Block. They were a boy band sensation back in the late '80s.
Like most NKOTB groupies, I had my favorite. Really, I think I picked the one with the most potential. Donnie Wahlberg has since gone on to appear in films, and although he might have lost a bit of luster (and a bit of hair), I think he is quite good. And still cute.
But back to the group.
You may have heard that group member Jonathan Knight was recently "outed" by ex-girlfriend Tiffany (also an 80's pop star) as being gay. Jon claims that him being gay is not news to anyone that knows him, and that it is not something he ever tried to keep secret.
The story that has received less attention is the anxiety disorder that Jon dealt with during his time in NKOTB. In an interview with Oprah, Jon and his brother Jordan talked about what it was like dealing with severe performance anxiety. During the interview, Jon appeared to be experiencing a full-blown panic attack.
Reports are that Jon sought medical help for his anxiety issues, and that they are resolved. Jon has not spoken much publicly about the disorder, which is unfortunate. He clearly has an influence and could help others dealing with the same issues.
Oh, and yes I do know that NKOTB have reunited. Am I a second generation groupie? Not quite. At least... not yet. Never say never.
Other Celebrities with SAD:
The following articles were originally posted as blog posts here at About.com. Please note the original dates of publication and that the stories were current as of that date.
TSA Screenings and Social Anxiety Disorder
January 9, 2011
As of November 2010, the Transportation Security Administration introduced new screening procedures in many airports in the United States. These include backscatter x-ray scans and sliding pat-downs.
Backscatter x-rays are viewed by an officer in a remote room who cannot see passengers. The TSA has reported that the images displayed cannot be saved or printed. Scanner images have been called akin to a "virtual strip search".
During sliding pat-downs, TSA officers use the back of their hands to screen areas including breasts and genitals. Passengers are selected for pat-downs if something suspicious appears in the scanner, they refuse to go in the scanner, they set off the metal detector, or they are selected at random. Pat-downs are completed by a TSA officer of the same gender, and travelers can request that they be done in a private room.
Since the introduction of these new procedures, many passengers have come forward with stories of poor treatment by TSA personnel, including insensitivity to medical conditions and biased selection for pat-down.
What do these new TSA procedures mean for those who suffer with social anxiety disorder (SAD)?
- If you will be traveling, make yourself aware of the procedures being used at all the airports that you will be flying through.
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- If x-ray scans are being used, decide ahead of time whether you will refuse the scanner and receive a pat-down instead.
 - If you do receive a pat-down, ask to be screened in a private room.
What do you think? Have you experienced the new TSA screening procedures? Will these new procedures affect your travel decisions? Would you choose a pat-down over an x-ray?
I have yet to experience them first-hand, but will be traveling in a few weeks. If I do go through either procedure, I will be sure to report back about what it was like.
Further Reading:
NKOTB Member Suffered with Anxiety
February 5, 2011
Ok, I admit it. I have a dark secret that has been haunting me for 20 years. It's not something I openly talk about unless pushed. But it's time to let the cat out of the bag.
I was a NKOTB groupie.
For those of you who don't know, NKOTB stands for New Kids on the Block. They were a boy band sensation back in the late '80s.
Like most NKOTB groupies, I had my favorite. Really, I think I picked the one with the most potential. Donnie Wahlberg has since gone on to appear in films, and although he might have lost a bit of luster (and a bit of hair), I think he is quite good. And still cute.
But back to the group.
You may have heard that group member Jonathan Knight was recently "outed" by ex-girlfriend Tiffany (also an 80's pop star) as being gay. Jon claims that him being gay is not news to anyone that knows him, and that it is not something he ever tried to keep secret.
The story that has received less attention is the anxiety disorder that Jon dealt with during his time in NKOTB. In an interview with Oprah, Jon and his brother Jordan talked about what it was like dealing with severe performance anxiety. During the interview, Jon appeared to be experiencing a full-blown panic attack.
Reports are that Jon sought medical help for his anxiety issues, and that they are resolved. Jon has not spoken much publicly about the disorder, which is unfortunate. He clearly has an influence and could help others dealing with the same issues.
Oh, and yes I do know that NKOTB have reunited. Am I a second generation groupie? Not quite. At least... not yet. Never say never.
Other Celebrities with SAD:
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