Secondary social phobia in patients with major depression

Nineteen of 42 (45.2%) patients were socially phobic when and only when depressed. Each of these patients met diagnostic criteria for primary depression (Research Diagnostic Criteria) and major depression (DSM-III-R). Every subject had three or more distinct episodes of depression. Eight of the 9 men (88.9%) and 11 of the 33 women (33.3%) were socially phobic when depressed (p = 0.004). Patients with recurrent wintertime episodes of major depression (p = 0.036) and a past history of alcohol or drug abuse were more likely to be socially phobic (p = 0.0001). The authors suggest the 19 socially phobic patients with primary depression should be regarded as having secondary social phobia. Secondary social phobia may be an important source of comorbidity in patients with primary depression.