Social phobia in general health care: an unrecognised undertreated disabling disorder.
BACKGROUND
This study explored the prevalence of social phobia (SP) in general health care, sociodemographic characteristics of patients with SP, the age at onset and severity of SP, its comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders, and the recognition by general practitioners.


METHODS
The study was conducted in Paris as part of the WHO study on Psychological Problems in General Health Care. Among 2096 consecutive primary care patients, 405 were interviewed using the CIDI. DSM-III-R diagnoses, severity and disability were assessed.


RESULTS
The one-month prevalence of SP is high (4.9) in primary care, although underdiagnosed by GPs. It has an early onset and leads to substantial disability. Patients with SP are at risk of developing further depression, alcoholism or suicidal behaviour.


CONCLUSIONS
SP appears to be a true and frequently severe pathological condition. The awareness of GPs and the general population should be improved.
Weiller
E
E
Inserm U302, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Pavillon Clérambault.
Bisserbe
J C
JC
Boyer
P
P
Lepine
J P
JP
Lecrubier
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010297:Paris / Q000453:epidemiology; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*