How Social Phobia is diagnosed?
Patients with SP may believe, mistakenly, that they are simply shy, and that this is part of their personality. Patients with social phobia tend to avoid contact with strangers and authority figures, which going to visit a doctor entails. This partly accounts for the fact that SP is underrecognized and undertreated.
The diagnosis of social phobia is only appropriate when the fear, avoidance, or anxious anticipation of the situation significantly impairs the patient’s daily routine or functioning.
Although social phobia has long been overlooked, there are now medications approved for treating this disorder, and awareness of social phobia will likely increase.
However, performance anxiety, stage fright, and shyness in social situations that involve unfamiliar people are common, and should not be diagnosed as social phobia unless the anxiety or avoidance leads to clinically significant impairment or marked distress.
To be diagnosed with SP, a patient must meet specific criteria. There are 2 widely accepted sets of criteria: DSM-IV and ICD-10 (International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, tenth revision).
Generalized Social Phobia
- Marked fear of being focus of attention; avoidance of meeting unfamiliar people and close scrutiny by others
- Fear of behaving in embarrassing or humiliating way
- Extreme anticipatory anxiety which may manifest itself as a panic attack
Social Phobia Importance |
Social Phobia Screening |
Social Phobia Diagnosis |
Social Phobia Differential Diagnosis |
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