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The social anxiety disorder spectrum
Dan J Stein1, Yutaka Ono, Osamu Tajima
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. djs2@sun.ac.za
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
|November 24, 2004
Summary
Social anxiety disorder may exist on various dimensions, not just as a distinct category. Further research is needed to understand the clinical use and psychobiology of these social anxiety spectrum dimensions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Psychobiology
Background:
- Current diagnostic systems classify social anxiety disorder categorically.
- Phenomenological and psychobiological data suggest social anxiety exists on spectrum dimensions.
- This challenges traditional categorical views of social anxiety disorder.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the concept of a social anxiety disorder spectrum.
- To review existing literature on dimensions of social anxiety.
- To synthesize findings regarding the spectrum of social anxiety.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a MEDLINE search (1966-2003) using terms related to social anxiety and its spectrum.
- Included terms such as shyness, social phobia, and avoidant personality.
- References were selected to illustrate key themes in description, pathogenesis, and treatment.
Main Results:
- Identified several approaches to delineating a social anxiety disorder spectrum.
- These include spectra of social fear/avoidance, body-focused concerns, anxiety/affective dysfunction, and social deficits.
- Evidence supports the dimensional nature of social anxiety symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Social anxiety symptoms and disorders appear to exist on multiple dimensions.
- Further research is required to establish the clinical utility of these dimensions.
- Investigating the underlying psychobiology of the social anxiety spectrum is necessary.