We do not currently have any active studies for this disorder, but please check back month-to-month for updates.

Improving Outcomes in Pharmacotherapy of Social Phobia
Posting Date: 4/1/2008
Study Sponsor: NIH
Study Contact: call 1-866-44-WORRY or send email to anxietystudy@partners.org

Description: This study will compare the usefulness of three different medication strategies for treating individuals with social anxiety disorder who have not responded well to an established treatment (i.e., the medication sertraline, also known as Zoloft™). Each of these 3 medication strategies involve taking a medication that is currently marketed for anxiety and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for sale for the treatment of anxiety. The study is a two phase, 23-week research study in which subjects who remain symptomatic at the end of one phase enter into the next. In Phase I, all subjects receive sertraline (Zoloft™) for 10 weeks. Subjects who remain symptomatic will enter Phase II, in which subjects will be randomly assigned (there will be a one-in-three chance of being assigned to each group) to either keep taking sertraline, switch to taking sertraline and clonazepam, or switch to taking only venlafaxine extended-release for the remaining 12 weeks of the study. At the end of the study, you will enter follow-up care with the study doctor.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients age 18 or older with a primary diagnosis of generalized social anxiety disorder. Patients with a history of schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, bipolar disorder, mental disorder due to a medical condition or substance, obsessive-compulsive disorder, or post-traumatic stress disorder are excluded. In addition, patients with severe and/or uncontrolled medical problems, and patients taking other psychotrophic medications are excluded.

D-Cycloserine Enhancement of Exposure in Social Phobia
Posting Date: 2/18/2008
Study Sponsor: NIH
Study Contact: call 1-866-44-WORRY or send email to anxietystudy@partners.org


Description: This study will provide individuals who meet criteria for Social Phobia with 12 weekly sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lasting approximately two and a half hours each. During these sessions, patients will receive information on the nature of social phobia and a model of treatment and will receive weekly training in how to become more comfortable with social situations, with the goal of achieving confidence in social interactions. As part of this training, the therapist will practice social interactions with the patient, who will also be asked to practice what they have learned outside of the therapists’ office. For the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh sessions of the twelve-session program of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the patient will be asked to arrive one hour early to take one of the study pill, a 50mg pill of either d-cycloserine or placebo, which participants will be randomly assigned to. A physician will be available in the unlikely event that a patient begins to experience side effects. Before the treatment starts, before the eighth session, and one week after the final session patients will have their levels of symptoms assessed with measures of mood, anxiety, and avoidance. Upon completion of the study, participants will be asked to return for a one-month, three-month, and six month-followup.

Eligibility Criteria: Male or female outpatients 18 years or older with a primary diagnosis of generalized social anxiety disorder (as determined by the psychiatrists who conduct our initial screening process); physical examination, electrocardiogram, and laboratory findings without clinically significant abnormalities; willingness and ability to comply with the requirements of the study protocol; participants currently taking psychotropic medication will be excluded.

Complicated Grief Disorder

We do not currently have any active studies for this disorder, but please check back month-to-month for updates.

Exposure, D-Cycloserine Enhancement, and Genetic Modulators in Panic Disorder
Study Sponsor: NIH
Study Contact: call 1-866-44-WORRY or send email to anxietystudy@partners.org

Description: This study will provide individuals who meet criteria for Panic Disorder with 5 weekly sessions of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy lasting one to one and a half hours each. During these sessions, patients will receive information on the nature of panic disorder and a model of treatment and will receive weekly training in how to become more comfortable with sensations of anxiety, with the goal of preventing sensations of anxiety from escalating into panic. As part of this training, patients will practice ways of creating and then becoming comfortable with symptoms in and out of the therapists’ office. For the third, fourth, and fifth sessions of the five-session program of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, the patient will be asked to arrive one hour early to take one of the study pill, a 50mg pill of either d-cycloserine or placebo, which participants will be randomly assigned to. A physician will be available in the unlikely event that a patient begins to experience side effects. Before the treatment starts, before the fourth session, and one week after the final session patients will have their levels of symptoms assessed with measures of mood, anxiety, and avoidance. Upon completion of the study, participants will be asked to return for a one-month, two-month, three-month, and six-month follow-up.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Male or female outpatients 18 years or older with a primary diagnosis of panic disorder (as determined by the psychiatrists who conduct our initial screening process).

2. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, and laboratory findings without clinically significant abnormalities.

3. Willingness and ability to comply with the requirements of the study protocol.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Stress Reduction Techniques and Anxiety: Therapeutic and Neuroendocrine Effects
Study Sponsor: NIH-NCCAM
Study Contact: call 1-866-44-WORRY or send email to anxietystudy@partners.org

Description: Do you suffer from anxiety? Do you worry a lot? Interested in stress reduction techniques?
We are testing the effectiveness of two types of stress management courses for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder at the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital. The research study does not require the use of medication. Study participants will receive an eight-week stress reduction course free of charge. Classes are held one evening a week for 1.5 - 2.5 hours held at MGH. We will also measure stress hormones in the saliva and blood. If you are at least 18 years or older and are interested in this research program, please call 1-866-44-WORR

Depression Disorder

Healthy Controls

Depression, DNA Damage and Telomeres: A Chronic Stress Model of Accelerated Aging
Study Sponsor: NIH
Study Contact: call Samantha at 617-726-5805 

Study Description: We are looking for healthy adult participants for a research study at Massachusetts General Hospital.  We are trying to understand how depression with or without anxiety impacts inflammation and measures of aging.  You would be participating as a healthy control, meaning that you would be part of the comparison group of people who do not have depression.

You may be eligible if: 

1. You do not suffer from any psychiatric disorders.
2. You are between 18 and 70 years of age.
3. You are not pregnant.

 People with severe and/or uncontrolled medical problems such as cancer, epilepsy, or chronic inflammatory disorders are excluded.

This study would involve having a formal psychiatric interview, filling out some questionnaires and having a blood draw. We may ask you to return 4 times over the next 8 years to repeat the same procedure.  Each study visit will take about 2 and ½ hours, and participants will be paid up to $75 after each visit for their time and effort.

If you are interested, please call Samantha at 617-726-3508

Pharmacologic Influence of Escitalopram on the Reduction of Fear Acquisition and Triggered Renewal during Fear Conditioning: a Model for the Prevention and Persistence of Learned Fear and Anxiety in Response to Trauma and Stress
Study Sponsor: Forest
Study Contact: call 1-866-44-WORRY or send email to anxietystudy@partners.org

Volunteers Sought for Research Study on Stress and Learning

Researchers at the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at MGH are conducting a study to learn how stress affects learning following 2 weeks of treatment with the antidepressant medication escitalopram

We are looking for:adult volunteers ages 18-75, who are experiencing varying levels or stress but have no current psychiatric disorder and are not on any psychiatric medication. 

 Participation involves…

• ·         Receiving a psychiatric interview to ensure eligibility.
• ·         Taking the medication escitalopram or a pill placebo for 14-17 days
• ·         Answering questions and having your blood drawn
• ·         Having your heart rate, muscle activity and the moisture on your skin measured while you watch a series of colored shapes on a computer monitor. ( Some of the colored shapes may be followed by a half-second of annoying but not painful electrical stimulus.)

  Procedures will take a total of 7 hours across 3 visit days. Participants will be paid $150 for their time and effort upon completion.

  Participation is confidential.  For more information please call 1866- 44-WORRY