Research studies at Stanford University

In this post I just want to let people know about a series of studies at Stanford University. These researchers are studying people's thinking patterns when they are socially anxious or depressed.

Ian Gotlib is a researcher in the psychology department at Stanford who has been studying these patterns for a long time and is a strong and frequent contributor to the scientific investigation of depression and social anxiety. It is a worthwhile experience for participants and a way to contribute to the science if you are interested. His description of the studies is below and a flyer follows his description.

In our studies of depression and of social anxiety, we are
investigating why people diagnosed with clinically significant
depression or anxiety exhibit difficulties or biases in their
processing of emotional information, particularly when they are in
the midst of a significant depressive or anxious episode. We are
trying to understand exactly how these ways of thinking might
precipitate and maintain or prolong depression and anxiety.

Participants come to Stanford to participate in a two-hour session
which involves an interview and completing some questionnaires. We
then usually invite participants back for additional sessions in
which they complete computer activities and possibly have their
breathing rate, heart beat, skin response, and muscle movement
monitored. Many participants will also have the opportunity to have
an fMRI brain scan and receive a picture of their brain. We pay
each participant $25 per hour.

And this is what is on our flyers:

"Do you avoid social situations for fear of embarrassment? Has your
fear of social situations interfered with your life? If so, you may
be eligible to participate in a research study examining how
different people think, or process information. To be eligible for
this study, you must: be a woman with a consistent, strong fear of
social situations that causes you anxiety and interferes with your
life, be in good physical health, be between 18 and 59 years old, be
a US citizen or non-citizen with a Green Card, read and speak
English fluently, have no immediate plans to leave the Bay Area, and
have not participated in this study before. Eligible participants
will receive $25/hour for their time."