Social Phobia

Abstract

Social phobia is a debilitating psychiatric condition that is treatable but often remains undetected and untreated. Without treatment, clients are at risk for complications, such as reduced quality of life, social interactions, daily functioning, and treatment adherence. Social phobia leads to more sick days, poor job performance, costly medical and emergency care visits, mental health visits, and greater reliance on disability or welfare. In the worst cases, the patient may decide that life is not worth living and consider suicide. Screening and careful assessment are the keys to detection and evaluation of social phobia. This article presents a case study to illustrate evaluation and treatment of social phobia.