Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) and Other Social Fears

Abstract

Abstract This chapter discusses the section on Social Anxiety Disorder (Social Phobia) and Other Social Fears in the Anxiety and Related Disorders Interview Schedule for DSM-5, Child Version, with Autism Spectrum Addendum (ADIS/ASA): Parent Interview Schedule (PIS). This section offers some guidelines and special considerations for differentiating symptoms of social anxiety from behavioral difficulties secondary to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Fears of being laughed at, rejected, or excluded by others may be realistic, appropriate, and protective for some children. Clinicians should assess for fears of negative social evaluation that are excessive even in light of the child’s social history and social ability. Meanwhile, not all cases of social avoidance or low social motivation are due to social fears—children may avoid social interaction for other reasons. Clinicians should consider how fears of negative evaluation or other aspects of social interaction add to the child’s social difficulties rather than attributing all social challenges to anxiety. They should also be careful to assess social fears rather than a sensitivity to the noise associated with social gatherings or groups. In some case, parents may not endorse fears of negative evaluation because their child has limited awareness of thoughts or feelings of others at this stage in their development. Children with this profile can nonetheless experience problematic fears and anxiety in social situations.