A diplomat of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology, Dr. Wayne Jones is a former psychiatrist who treated patients with mental health issues, including panic disorders. Currently a psychiatric and integrative health counselor, he serves as a member of several organizations that address social anxiety and related disorders.
The work of Dr. Wayne Jones and other care providers is critical considering the prevalence of anxiety disorders in the United States. A National Institute of Mental Health study found that more than 31 percent of US adults experience at least one anxiety disorder at some point in their lives, with roughly one-fifth of the country’s adult population experiencing an anxiety disorder during the previous 12 months. The prevalence of anxiety disorders is notably higher among females compared to males, at 23.4 percent and 14.3 percent, respectively.
Dr. Wayne Jones’ work has often focused on social anxiety disorder. Identifying social anxiety disorders can sometimes prove challenging, as many people experience some level of nervousness during certain social situations. Social anxiety disorder, however, leads to intense fear and issues of avoidance that can seriously disrupt a person’s personal and professional life.
Social anxiety disorder is comparable to agoraphobia, a condition that causes people to avoid open spaces and social situations in which they may feel embarrassed or helpless. Dr. Wayne Jones has additional experience with agoraphobia. He co-authored a Journal of Clinical Psychiatry paper, “Alprazolam-SR in Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia: Relationship of Daily Dose to Efficacy.” Dr. Jones has contributed to multiple papers and studies involving the use of Alprazolam to treat agoraphobia and other anxiety disorders.
Dr. Wayne Jones has also supported work related to functional medicine that can be used to treat anxiety disorders. Functional medicine is an intricate medical strategy that takes into account all biological factors impacting a person’s health and wellness. Individuals living with anxiety disorders and related conditions benefit from this holistic, full-body approach to treatment, which involves identifying underlying causes that may be overlooked using other strategies, such as nutrient deficiencies or hormonal imbalances causing stress and anxiety.
As a former psychiatrist at Wayne C. Jones, MD, PA, in Richardson, Texas, between 1974 and 2023, Dr. Wayne Jones gained hands-on experience in treating patients with anxiety disorders. During this time, he also served as the medical director of the Phobia and Anxiety Center of the Southwest. Between 1992 and 1996, Dr. Jones was a National Advisory Committee Member working on the Economic Cost of Treatment of Anxiety Disorders. He researched similar topics and co-authored “Economics and life consequences experienced by a group of individuals with panic disorders” for the Journal of Anxiety Disorders. Recent studies suggest that anxiety disorders are the costliest mental health conditions in the United States, costing the American economy over $280 billion each year.
Dr. Wayne Jones expanded his ability to diagnose, treat, and discuss anxiety disorders by attending the Phobia Society of America’s National Conference on Phobias and Related Anxiety Disorders. Phobias are considered a type of anxiety disorder defined by a specific source of anxiety, such as animals or certain parts of the body. Continued phobia research is also critically important in the US, where approximately 19 million Americans live with at least one phobia, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America.