Comorbidity of Social Phobia

Epidemiologic studies have shown that comorbidity of anxiety and mood disorders is common. The 12-month prevalence of anxiety disorders in patients with major depression has been found to be approximately 50%. Similarly, depression frequently occurs in patients with anxiety disorders, including SP. As noted earlier, anxiety disorders, as OCD, PTSD, Panic and social phobia often overlap.

Patients with SP may abuse alcohol or drugs in an attempt to reduce their anxiety in feared situations. In patients with SP, the lifetime prevalence of depression ranges from 34% to 70%

In general, it has been estimated that SP occurs with a comorbid mood and/or anxiety condition in 70% to 80% of all cases. This is significant, as the presence of a comorbid condition may add to the burden of social anxiety.

Specifically, comorbidity of SP and another disorder may:

• increase symptom severity
• cause greater disability
• increase suicide rate and suicide intention
• increase the demand on healthcare resources
• make treatment more difficult
• make the outcome less favorable

Comorbidity is more often associated with the generalized form of social anxiety. In many cases, the social phobia predates a comorbid mood disorder or another anxiety disorder. Patients with SP often do not seek medical attention for the disorder until a comorbid condition occurs, most commonly major depression or alcoholism.