The Anxiety Disorders Association of America, or ADAA, works toward preventing, treating and curing anxiety disorders. This organization also strives to remove the stigma surrounding these conditions. Through its website, they provide podcasts, news and updates regarding anxiety disorders.
History
The first meeting of the ADAA was held in 1978 in New York. A group of clinicians and patients founded the organization and named it the Phobia Society of America in 1980, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Anxiety was not a term that had been used at that time. The Phobia Society of America changed to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America in 1990. This organization has funded more than $1.5 million in anxiety disorder research and attempts to educate people around the country about anxiety disorders.
Features
The Anxiety Disorders Association of America provides free information for people who suffer from anxiety disorders and related disorders such as depression, their families and professionals who treat clients with anxiety disorders. The ADAA devotes an entire section on its website to understanding anxiety and the different anxiety disorders. They also provide self-help information on living with anxiety disorders. People can learn about alternative treatments and different types of therapy without cost. They can also read personal stories of others who've struggled with anxiety disorders, so they don't have to feel alone anymore.
This organization sponsors conferences for mental health professionals to provide education on how to better diagnose and treat anxiety disorders.
Benefits
There is a section on the website where people can find local therapists that treat anxiety disorders. Deciding to get professional help is a big step for many people, but efforts are sometimes thwarted when treatment is not easy to find or access. Using this website, parents of children with anxiety issues and adults with anxiety disorders can find therapists equipped to help them.
Membership
Members include students and professionals in the mental health field. By joining the organization, professionals receive access to research updates and new treatment methods. The ADAA adds members to a therapist directory and distributes to them its peer-reviewed journal, Depression and Anxiety.
Taking Action
Mental health professionals and others might want to support this organization. They can do this by making a donation, shopping in the ADAA store and supporting companies that support ADAA. People who want to help but can't afford to make a monetary donation can check out the section, "Speak Out." This section notes issues in legislation and encourages writing congressional representatives regarding the importance of mental health treatment and anxiety disorder research.
