Social Phobia : Etiology, Diagnosis & Treatment

Social phobia (DSM-IV 300.23), also known as social anxiety disorder (DSM-IV 300.23) is a diagnosis within psychiatry and other mental health professions referring to excessive social anxiety (anxiety in social situations)[citation needed] causing abnormally considerable distress and impaired ability to function in at least some areas of daily life.

The diagnosis can be of a specific disorder (when only some particular situations are feared) or a generalised disorder.

Generalised social anxiety disorder typically involves a persistent, intense, and chronic fear of being judged by others and of potentially being embarrassed or humiliated by one's own actions.

These fears can be triggered by perceived or actual scrutiny by others.

While the fear of social interaction may be recognised by the person as excessive or unreasonable, considerable difficulty can be encountered overcoming it.

Approximately 13.3 percent of the general population may meet criteria for social anxiety disorder at some point in their lifetime, according to the highest survey estimate, with the male to female ratio being 1:1.5.

This book presents new and important research in the field.