Epidemiology and natural course of social fears and social phobia

Abstract

Objective: To summarize epidemiological studies providing data on prevalence, incidence, comorbidity, natural course, risk factors and consequences of social phobia (SP). Method: Data from cross‐sectional studies and prospective longitudinal studies in particular are considered. Results: These studies portray SP as a frequent mental disorder, which begins typically in early adolescence, and is highly comorbid with other anxiety disorders, as well as secondary depression and substance abuse disorders. Several possible risk factors have already been identified for the onset and unfavorable course of SP; some of them have been tested in prospective longitudinal studies. SP is a chronic disorder when compared with other mental disorders and when subclinical symptomatic levels are considered. Impairment caused by SP is considerable and increases over a patient's life span. The negative impact of SP is not only reflected in subjective well‐being and reduced quality of life but also in social role functioning, and it impacts negatively on career progression. Conclusion: Prospective longitudinal studies in representative samples drawn from the general population provide information that allows the overall direct and indirect costs of the disorder (treatment costs, disability, social welfare) to be determined, and enables an improvement in long‐term care strategies as well as preventive efforts to be established.

Datos normativos del Cuestionario de Creencias de Fobia a las Arañas adaptado para la Fobia a las Cucarachas en población general y clínica

“…Por lo que se refiere a comorbilidad, alrededor del 80 % de las personas con fobia específica sufre uno o más trastornos comórbidos (magee, Eaton, Wittchen, McGonable y Kessler, 1996) o múltiples fobias (Wittchen, 2003), dando como resultado una importante interferencia en la vida diaria de las personas. Además, entre el 60 % y el 80 % de personas que sufren fobias no busca tratamiento (Boyd et al, 1990;Magee et al, 1996).…”

Brain derived neurotrophic factor mediated learning, fear acquisition and extinction as targets for developing novel treatments for anxiety

“…However, these interventions have not yet been able to overcome much of the burden related to these disorders. Treatment interventions usually require long-term maintenance, and may not be suitable or available for a significant proportion of patients 4,5 . These unmet needs regarding anxiety and OCRD make the investigation of new treatment targets necessary.…”

Transtorno de ansiedade social: validação de instrumentos de avaliação

“…Geralmente o TAS inicia-se no começo da adolescência, com prevalência média ao longo da vida variando de 5 a 13,3% (KESSLER;BERGLUND, 1998;MATHEW;COPLAN;GORMAN, 2001;RAJ;SHEEHAN, 2001;FEHM, 2003;CARTA et al, 2004;LÉPINE et al, 2005;MOHAMMADI et al, 2006;RENNEBERG;STRÖHLE, 2006). A idade média de início situa-se, geralmente, entre os 11 e 15 anos, evoluindo com cronicidade e prejuízos que afetam todas as áreas da vida.…”

“…Embora não seja considerado um transtorno incapacitante, o TAS reconhecidamente acarreta prejuízos graves em diferentes áreas da vida como trabalho, atividades acadêmicas, relacionamento familiar, amoroso e vida social e econômica (BARROS NETO, 2000;DEN BOER, 2000;FURMARK, 2000;FIGUEIRA et al, 2001;HIDALGO et al, 2001;POLLACK, 2001;LÉPINE, 2002;PATEL et al, 2002;FEHM, 2003;STEIN et al, 2005). Aproximadamente 20% dos indivíduos com este diagnóstico apresentam várias incapacidades em seus funcionamentos social, profissional e pessoal (RAJ; SHEEHAN, 2001).…”

“…Segundo Schneier et al (1992), 69% dos portadores de TAS apresentam comorbidade, sendo estas geralmente secundárias, do ponto de vista cronológico. As condições mais freqüentes são depressão, abuso de substâncias (álcool e drogas), distimia, ideação suicida e outros transtornos de ansiedade (BRUNELLO et al, 2000;FURMARK, 2000;LIPSITZ;SCHNEIER, 2000;RAJ;SHEEHAN, 2001;GOODWIN et al, 2002;LÉPINE, 2002;FEHM, 2003;CARTA et al, 2004;SAREEN et al, 2005;PÉLISSOLO et al, 2006;MOHAMMADI et al, 2006).…”