The Effectiveness of Paradoxical Time Table Technique on Negative Automatic Thoughts, Cognitive Avoidance and Fear of Evaluating others in People with Social Anxiety Disorder

Background: Social anxiety disorder is a psychological disorder characterized by constant fear and avoidance of social situations due to fear of evaluation. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of paradoxical time table technique on negative automatic thoughts, cognitive avoidance and fear of evaluating others in people with social anxiety disorder. Methods: The current research method was semi-experimental with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the research included all people with social anxiety disorder (50 people) who referred to Derakhshan counseling center in Babolsar city in 2021. The sample included 30 patients who were purposefully selected and randomly divided into two experimental groups (15 people) and control group (15 people). To collect data, ATQ negative automatic thoughts questionnaire, Sexton & Dugas CAQ cognitive avoidance questionnaire and Watson & Friend fear evaluation questionnaire were used. Research data was analyzed using SPSS-23 software. Results: The results of the analysis showed that the paradoxical timetable technique was significantly effective on negative automatic thoughts, cognitive avoidance and fear of evaluation by others (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The results of this research can be used in the treatment of negative automatic thoughts, cognitive avoidance and fear of evaluation by others in people with social anxiety disorder.