title: Consensus statement on social anxiety disorder from the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The goal of this consensus statement is to provide primary care clinicians with a better understanding of management issues in social anxiety disorder (social phobia) and guide clinical practice with recommendations for appropriate pharmacotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 4 members of the International Consensus Group on Depression and Anxiety were James C. Ballenger (chair), Jonathan R. T. Davidson, Yves Lecrubier, and David J. Nutt. Other faculty invited by the chair were Julio Bobes, Deborah C. Beidel, Yukata Ono, and Herman G. M. Westenberg.
  
  
  METHODS
  The consensus statement is based on the 7 review papers published in this supplement and on the scientific literature relevant to the issues reviewed in these papers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The group met over a 2-day period. On day 1, the group discussed each review paper, and the chair identified key issues for further debate. On day 2, the group discussed these issues to arrive at a consensus view. After the group meetings, the consensus statement was drafted by the chair and approved by all attendees.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The consensus statement underlines the importance of recognizing social anxiety disorder and provides recommendations on how it may be distinguished from other anxiety disorders. It proposes definitions for response and remission and considers appropriate management strategies. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are recommended as first-line therapy, and effective treatment should be continued for at least 12 months. Long-term treatment is indicated if symptoms are unresolved, the patient has a comorbid condition or a history of relapse, or there was an early onset of the disorder.
authors.affiliation: Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Charleston 29425-0742, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Ballenger
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lecrubier
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Nutt
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bobes
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Beidel
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ono
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Westenberg
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010698:Phobic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015995:Prevalence; D016896:Treatment Outcome