Social phobia may take many different forms, from a phobia of a single social situation to a generalized form that affects virtually all of the sufferer's social interactions. Consequently, not all social phobias follow the same progression. Nonetheless, the following may be considered typical:
- Early Warning Signs: Many people who go on to develop social phobia showed signs of timidity and social anxiety in early childhood.
- Age at First Onset: Pre-teen or early teens. Although social phobia may appear at any age, it most typically begins at approximately age 13. However, transient social anxiety is normal at that age. Social phobia in teens and children is only diagnosed if it persists for more than six months.
- Progressive Effects: Untreated social phobia can lead to many complications, including difficulty with jobs and social relationships. Increasing isolation can lead to the development of other disorders.
- Concurrent Disorders: The isolation and anxiety affiliated with social phobia can lead to depression, substance abuse and further anxiety disorders.
- Prognosis: Untreated social phobia can become chronic and increasingly life-limiting. Over time, it can become more difficult to fight the phobia and maintain a normal life. With treatment, however, the prognosis is extremely positive.
Epidemiology of Anxiety Disorders. Current Diagnosis & Treatment in Psychiatry. http://psychiatry.healthse.com/psy/categories/C19/
The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America. National Institute of Mental Health. February 15, 2008. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-numbers-count-mental-disorders-in-america.shtml#KesslerPrevalence
