Social Anxiety Disorder: An Unrecognized Problem in Primary Care
David J. Katzelnick and John H. Greist
J Clin Psychiatry 2001;62(suppl 1):11-15
© Copyright 2015 Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc.
Access to this article is available to valid users
Still can't log in? Contact the Circulation Department at 1-800-489-1001 x4 or send email
Register: If you do not have one already, register for a free account.
Social anxiety disorder, or social phobia, is one of the most common mental disorders, yet it remains
underrecognized and undertreated. Individuals with social anxiety disorder frequently have
psychiatric comorbidity, including mood, anxiety, and substance abuse disorders, that can further impair
a person’s ability to function. This article reviews the literature on social anxiety disorder and
explores questions regarding its prevalence, rates of recognition and treatment, and natural history.
The association between social anxiety disorder and psychiatric comorbidity and suicide is reviewed,
as well as quality-of-life issues, including the impact of social anxiety disorder on educational attainment,
occupational functioning and financial dependency, marital status, and health care utilization.
There is a need for further study and greater awareness among primary health care providers about the
prevalence and treatment of social anxiety disorder.