Anxiety symptoms distinguishing social phobia from panic and generalized anxiety disorders

Social phobic (N = 14), generalized anxiety disorder (N = 18), and panic disorder patients (N = 48) were compared on four categories of anxiety symptoms: autonomic hyperactivity, muscular tension, vigilance, and apprehensive expectation. Six specific symptoms (palpitations, chest pains, tinnitus, blurred vision, headaches, fear of dying, and dry mouth) distinguished social phobia from panic disorder, while four (headaches, fear of dying, sweating, and dyspnea) distinguished social phobia from generalized anxiety disorder. Most symptom differences were in the autonomic hyperactivity category of symptoms. These findings further confirm the validity of social phobia as a distinct disorder and may help provide specific target symptoms for the treatment of related but different anxiety disorders.