Prevalence Of Social Anxiety Disorder Research Articles

Social Anxiety and Internet Addiction among Primary Health Care Workers at PSMMC, Riyadh

Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Internet Addiction (IA) significantly impact the quality of life and professional efficacy among Primary Health Care Workers (PCWs). Given their prevalence and the potential for negative comorbidities, including depression, this study aims to explore the occurrence and correlation of SAD and IA among PCWs in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study assessed SAD and IA among 154 PCWs using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT). The study was conducted over 12 months from April 2023 to March 2024 at Prince Sultan Military Medical City (PSMMC), Riyadh; it employed random sampling to ensure diverse participation. The Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and Internet Addiction Test (IAT) questionnaires were used to assess the prevalence of SAD and IA, respectively. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the association between both variables. Results: The study found that 27.3% of participants exhibited some level of social anxiety, while 45% showed signs of IA. Specifically, mild to moderate internet addiction was present in 44.8% of respondents. Only 8.4% of participants fell into the severe category of social anxiety, while severe internet addiction was absent. A significant positive correlation was observed between SAD and IA (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). Additionally, higher income and certain professional roles were associated with lower instances of both conditions. Conclusion: The study highlights the prevalent but primarily mild to moderate levels of SAD and IA among PHCWs, underscoring the need for targeted interventions. While present, these issues may not severely impact PHCWs at PSMMC. The correlation between SAD and IA suggests the internet's dual role as a coping mechanism and potential risk factor, indicating areas for future research and intervention strategies.

IJCM_337A: Prevalence Of Social Anxiety Disorder Among Adolescents In Ernakulam District, Kerala

Background: Social anxiety disorder (SAD), a prevalent form of anxiety disorder is a chronic, disabling and treatable one with common onset in adolescence. Individuals experiencing SAD exhibit symptoms of anxiety or fear in circumstances where they could face scrutiny, evaluation, or judgment from others. Objective: The primary objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of SAD among adolescents in Ernakulam district, Kerala. The secondary objectives were to compare the prevalence of SAD among urban and rural adolescents and to determine the factors associated with SAD among adolescents in Ernakulam district, Kerala. Methodology: School based cross-sectional study was done among 474 students from schools of Ernakulam district, Kerala. Students were enrolled using multi-stage sampling method. A semi structured questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic details and Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) was administered to the participants by face-to-face interview after attaining the necessary assent and consent. Results: The overall prevalence of SAD among the study participants was 19.6% with the prevalence of SAD among the urban and rural students being 17.6% and 22.9% respectively. Having to give speeches was the most common phobia in majority (40.9%) of participants. Female sex [aOR=2.02(1.26-3.21); p=0.003] was found to be a determinant of SAD in the study population. Age, type of family, number of family members, place of residency were not statistically associated with SAD in this study Conclusion: The current study showed that 1/5th of the study population had social anxiety disorder. With appropriate intervention through health education and psychotherapy, its progression can be effectively impeded.

Prevalence and Severity of Social Anxiety Symptoms and Their Relationship With Body Dysmorphic Symptoms.

Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a subtype of anxiety characterized by avoidance, fear, and physical symptoms such as dry mouth, sweating, palpitations, and blushing. SAD is one of the most common mental disorders. Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental disorder marked by a distressing or impairing preoccupation with imagined or minor flaws in one's physical appearance. Both disorders share similar symptoms. No satisfactory data have been provided about the prevalence of social anxiety symptoms in our region. In our study, we measured the prevalence and severity of SAD symptoms among adults in Riyadh City, as well as the sociodemographic factors associated with it. Additionally, the correlation between SAD and BDD was assessed. Methods Our study is quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional. It was conducted by administering a translated Arabic version of the Severity Measure for Social Anxiety Disorder scale and BDD scales in five locations in Riyadh, which include two general hospitals and three shopping malls. Data were analyzed using the SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistical data are presented through mean values, standard deviations, and percentages. Results A total of 752 responses were received, of which 509 (68.32%) were from females with a mean age of 30.12 years. The majority of the sample had a low to middle family income, with 64% earning less than $2555 monthly. The sample possessed a good educational level; 63% had a bachelor's degree or higher. Our study also shows that 233 subjects (30.98%) had scores indicating a moderate to severe form of SAD. Among these participants, 86 (36.9%) had scores indicating a moderate to severe form of BDD. There was a significant positive correlation between SAD and BDD (r = 0.496). Conclusion The prevalence of SAD was 30.98%, which is higher compared to Western countries. Low income, education, and female gender have roles in the disease condition. Moreover, there was a linear relationship between SAD and BDD.

Prevalence and predictors of social anxiety disorders among Malaysian secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic: Exploring the influence of internet gaming disorder and impulsivity.

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) among Malaysian secondary school students during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore its correlations with demographic variables, impulsivity behavior, and internet gaming disorder (IGD). A total of 1574 participants from 12 government secondary schools across five Malaysian states, comprising 569 males and 1005 females, completed an online questionnaire containing validated Malay versions of the Social Interaction Anxiety Scale, Barratt Impulsiveness Scale, and Internet Gaming Disorder Scale - Short Form. The findings revealed a notable SAD prevalence rate of 40.53% among Malaysian adolescents. Logistic regression analysis unveiled significant associations between SAD and factors such as attention impulsiveness (OR = 2.58, p < .001), motor impulsiveness (OR = 1.47, p = .03), female gender (OR = 2, p < .001), Malay ethnicity, and IGD (OR = 1.08, p < .001). In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the extent of social anxiety experienced by Malaysian secondary school students during the pandemic, shedding light on the demographic and psychosocial factors linked to its emergence. Furthermore, the research underscores a robust link between IGD and SAD, emphasizing the need for comprehensive interventions addressing both issues concurrently. By recognizing the multifaceted nature of these associations, future interventions can be tailored to provide holistic support for adolescents' mental well-being.

Analysis of emotion recognition based on brain-computer interface technology

The lifetime prevalence of social anxiety disorder is pretty high, and Brain-computer Interface (BCI) technology has become the main solution to the above problems. In order to solve this problem, this paper firstly introduced the sentiment classification and the theoretical basis of BCI emotion recognition, and bring up the specific mechanism and detailed process of emotion recognition. Secondly the selection of data sets and the detailed process of EEG signal analysis are mainly discussed, including pre-processing, feature extraction, classification of signal recognition, accuracy analysis and so on. Thirdly, the paper summarized some examples of current representative applications and the existing problems, improvements and breakthroughs in recent years. In the end, the future development trend of affective brain-computer interface is prospected. Although the brain computer interface (BCI) emotion recognition is still an immature technology in the initial stage and has so many challenging problems, but this paper wish and believe it can have a brilliant development prospect.

Nationally representative epidemiological study of social anxiety disorder from India.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also termed as social phobia, is a disabling psychiatric condition with limited epidemiological research on it in India. This study, using data from the National Mental Health Survey (NMHS), 2016, is the first to explore its current prevalence and associated factors in India. The NMHS in India used a comprehensive population-based study with subjects selected through a multistage stratified random cluster sampling technique across 12 states. The study included 34,802 adults interviewed with the Mini-International Psychiatric Interview 6.0.0. Firth penalized logistic regression (FPLR) was used to estimate covariate odds ratios (ORs), and the treatment gap for SAD and disability measured using Sheehan's disability scale was calculated. The study found a 0.47% prevalence of SAD, with an average age of 35.68 years (standard deviation (SD) = 15.23) among those affected. Factors, such as male gender, unemployment, and living in urban areas, were associated with higher odds of SAD, while the elderly had lower odds. A significant proportion of individuals with SAD experienced disability in work (63%), social life (77%), and family life (68%). They spent a median of ₹ 2500 per month on treatment and had a high rate of comorbid psychiatric disorders (58%). The treatment gap was substantial at 82%. A considerable portion of India's population (approximately >65 lakhs) is affected by SAD. Surprisingly, the NMHS 2016 report indicates a higher risk of SAD among males compared with females, a trend that warrants further investigation. SAD in India is linked to significant disability and a considerable treatment gap, emphasizing the need for innovative approaches to address this large, affected population, especially in light of the scarcity of mental health professionals.

Психологічна підтримка осіб з ознаками соціально тривожного розладу, який асоціюється з травматичним досвідом

Background. Considering the high prevalence of social anxiety disorder and its impact on quality of life and occupational functioning, research aimed at effective and accessible interventions can help reduce the burden of this disorder and improve patient well-being. Understanding traumatic experiences' influence on social anxiety development is critical for developing effective interventions. Studies exploring the link between traumatic experiences and the severity of anxiety disorders can shed light on this mechanism and provide more effective support to those who have experienced trauma. One of the challenges in treating social anxiety disorder is the low readiness of individuals to seek professional help. Low-intensity interventions may become more accessible and acceptable to patients, increasing their awareness of mental health issues and motivation for self-help or seeking specialized assistance. Previous research has shown the effectiveness of specific intervention methods for social phobias, but further studies are needed to test the stability of these results over time. Considering the above, research can help improve the understanding and psychological support for individuals with social anxiety disorder and develop more accessible and effective preventive measures for patients with a history of traumatic experiences. Objective. To study the effectiveness of a low-intensity cognitive-behavioral therapy psychosocial support program for individuals with social anxiety disorder associated with a history of traumatic experiences. Materials and Methods. The study group consisted of 179 individuals who reported significant emotional and psychological discomfort due to avoiding social situations and exhibited symptoms typical of social anxiety disorder for over six months in the past. At the initial stage, 109 individuals without signs of social phobia but with limitations in social interaction, including issues with adaptation and traumatic experiences in the past, were included as a control group. The mental state was assessed using The MINI: International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Psychopathological symptoms were analyzed using self-report questionnaires and the IAPT complex scales, while the quality of life was assessed using the self-report Q-LES-Q-SF questionnaire. In the second stage of the program evaluation, data analysis was conducted solely within the leading group, excluding the control groups, based on their classification according to associated traumatic experiences. Results. In the study, for the subgroup of individuals who participated in combat, experienced immediate life-threatening situations, or witnessed such events, it was found that traumatic experiences and distress related to social avoidance accounted for 56% of the variance in overall and work-related functioning after the program and throughout one month. Depressive symptoms ceased to be statistically significant predictors after participating in the program. The reduction in the impact of traumatic experiences and anxiety-related avoidance accounted for 27% of the variance in social interaction limitations and overall distress. In the subgroup of individuals who experienced loss and were influenced by social events they considered traumatic, no initial reduction in distress related to social avoidance was observed after the interventions. However, further reduction in distress in daily life and work was associated with reduced social phobia symptoms and increased awareness and acceptance of their emotional experiences. Depressive symptoms and the impact of traumatic experiences ceased to be predictive factors for overall distress. The research confirms the importance of understanding the influence of traumatic experiences and social avoidance on the development and manifestation of comorbid conditions in social phobia during the planning and implementation of psychosocial support. Furthermore, it is considered essential to consider that the role of traumatic experiences may be mediated by the circumstances of the study's time frame. Additional research will help better understand the relationships between traumatic experiences and vulnerability to comorbid psychopathology during adaptation to emergency circumstances and develop more effective psychosocial interventions for individuals with social phobia.

Social Anxiety, Social Support, and Quality of Life in Patients With Epilepsy at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Objectives The objectives of this study were to measure the prevalence of social anxiety disorder and its association with quality of life (QoL) in patients with epilepsy (PWE) in King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A self-administrated, online, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on PWE 18 years of age and above from February 2021 to January 2022. Social anxiety and the five domains of QoL were measured using the validated Arabic versions of the Liebowitz social anxiety scale and European quality-of-life 5-dimensions 3-levels (EQ-5D-3L), respectively. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, social support, and adverse life events. Results This study included 246 patients, of which approximately 25% and 15% had mild/moderate and severe/very severe levels of social anxiety, respectively. Severe social anxiety was significantly associated with poor QoL domains, namely, restricted mobility (2.65 [1.00, 6.99]), inability to perform usual activities (3.88 [1.61, 9.36]), pain or discomfort (3.21 [1.38, 7.48]), and anxiety and depression (5.77 [2.45, 13.61]). Similarly, the lack of social support was also significantly associated with poor QoL, such as restricted mobility (2.42 [1.12, 5.22]), restricted self-care (3.64 [1.18, 11.17]), inability to perform usual activities (2.86 [1.42, 5.75]), pain/discomfort (2.53 [1.38, 4.66]), and anxiety and depression (1.93 [1.04, 3.57]). Females showed higher odds for restricted mobility (2.79 [1.29, 6.03]) and low education with limited self-care (7.38 [1.49, 36.71]). Conclusion Patients with epilepsy reported high levels of social anxiety that have a negative effect on their QoL. Healthcare providers should be able to provide counseling to the patient and their family members. In addition, social support is important to improve their mobility and socialization with friends and neighbors.

Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial in Hong Kong.

Social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, is one of the most common mental disorders worldwide. In Hong Kong, the prevalence of SAD is high, but its treatment rate is low. SAD has immense impact on academic or work performance, social life, career development, and quality of life. One of the most effective treatments for SAD is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), with internet-based CBT (iCBT) and virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) showing promise in treating SAD. However, internet interventions are underdeveloped in Chinese communities including Hong Kong. This study aims to develop an iCBT program that includes VRET, called "Ease Anxiety in Social Event Online" (Ease Online), for Hong Kong adults with SAD in a randomized controlled trial. The 14-week Ease Online program is a guided self-help iCBT program with a blended mode of service delivery. The program comprises 9 web-based modules and 5 individual counseling sessions (including 2 VRET sessions) conducted remotely or face-to-face with a therapist to provide therapist support, as guided iCBT shows superior effects than unguided iCBT. Other program components include therapist feedback on assignments, internal messages, forums, client portfolios, web-based questionnaires, reminders, and web-based bookings. The program can be accessed either through a mobile app or program website through a PC with an internet connection. The participants are openly recruited and screened using a questionnaire and through an intake interview. Eligible participants are randomized by placing them into a web-based iCBT group, app-based iCBT group, or a waitlist control (WLC) group. Participants in the WLC group are assigned to the app-based program upon completion of the service of the 2 experimental groups. Measurements of social anxiety, depression and anxiety symptoms, psychological distress, automatic thoughts, and quality of life are administered at pretest, posttest, and 3- and 6-month follow-ups. Multivariate ANOVA with repeated measures will be performed to determine the intervention effectiveness on the continuous variables over time. Participant recruitment commenced in January 2021. As of February 2023, a total of 1811 individuals applied for the Ease Online program. In total, 401 intake interviews have been completed, and 329 eligible participants have joined the program, among whom 166 have completed the service. Data collection is still ongoing, which is expected to be completed in March 2024. This study is the first of its kind in combining iCBT and VRET for the treatment of SAD in Hong Kong. At a theoretical level, this study contributes to the development and evaluation of internet-based psychological interventions in Hong Kong. At a practical level, the Ease Online program may serve as an alternative service option for SAD clients in Hong Kong if proven effective. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04995913; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04995913. DERR1-10.2196/48437.

The prevalence of social anxiety disorder: A school related experience in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia

The prevalence of social anxiety disorder: A school related experience in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia

Social anxiety disorder and childhood adversities in Portugal: Findings from the WHO world mental health survey initiative

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is one of the most underrecognized and undertreated common mental disorders. This study aimed to describe its epidemiology and to understand the association between childhood adversities and SAD in the context of Portugal's collectivist culture. Data about SAD, childhood adversities, socio-demographic variables were collected from a nationally representative sample using well-validated scales employed for the World Mental Health Survey. Logistic and linear regression models were carried out to explore the association between childhood adversities and SAD prevalence and age of onset. The estimated lifetime prevalence of SAD was 4.68% and the 12-month prevalence was 3.14%. The mean age of onset was 13.6 ± 8.79. People with a college education had 3.42 higher odds of having SAD compared to people with no education or a primary school education. Most childhood adversities significantly increased the odds of a lifetime prevalence of SAD. Parental Maladjustment increased the odds of SAD when gender, age, and education were adjusted. The study findings show a relatively high prevalence of SAD in Portugal and confirms that females, younger people, students, and single people are more likely to have SAD. The study highlights the need to address experiences of parental maladjustment in interventions for people with SAD in Portugal.

Psychometric properties and factor structure of the Iranian version of the Social Phobia Inventory (I-SPIN)

Introduction: Despite the high prevalence of social anxiety disorder and the necessity of conducting etiological studies, the existing measures of social anxiety lack robust factor structure due to methodological flaws, leading to doubtful results. Aim: The present study is aimed to investigate the factor structure, reliability, and convergent validity of the Iranian version of the Social Phobia Inventory (I-SPIN). Method: This is a cross-sectional, psychometric study. Two large samples (N1=1210, N2=228) have been selected with the convenience sampling method from the student population of the three different universities in Zanjan city (i.e., University of Medical Sciences, Azad, and Payame Noor University) who were studying in those universities from February to July 2020. CAQ-GE, BAI, BDI-II, and IUS-12 were used in the present study. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted using Mplus-7.4 and SPSS-26 was used to perform internal consistency and validity analyses. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the two-factor model best fit the data. Besides, the results indicated that the I-SPIN has a positive and significant correlation with anxiety-related measures (p&lt;0.01) and acceptable internal consistency (α=0.92). Conclusion: Considering the excellent psychometric properties and a robust factor structure of the I-SPIN in an Iranian college student sample, using this measure would improve the accuracy of future studies and help us broaden our knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of this disorder.

False safety behaviour elimination therapy for social anxiety disorder in Japanese men

ABSTRACT Background Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is an excessive fear of social situations that can lead to serious functional impairment. The prevalence of SAD has increased over the past four decades, making it one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in Japan. Therefore, more effective interventions are needed to treat this disorder. False safety behavior elimination therapy (F-SET), which eliminates safety behavior (i.e., strategies that reduce anxiety), was administered in our study to six Japanese patients with SAD. This is the first adaptation of F-SET into Japanese. Patients were diagnosed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview. The Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale was used as the primary outcome measure to evaluate the change in symptoms. All patients received five weekly 60-minute F-SET sessions. Results and Conclusions Participants who completed the treatment exhibited a substantial decrease in SAD symptoms, providing preliminary support for the adapted treatment’s efficacy. We have discussed the cultural differences in SAD and the adaptation of F-SET. KEY POINTS What is already known about this topic: (1) Transdiagnostic group CBT is an effective treatment for anxiety disorders. (2) Few studies have examined the effectiveness of transdiagnostic group CBT in naturalistic settings. (3) Few studies have examined the effectiveness of treatments as implemented by clinicians in routine clinical practice. What this paper adds: (1) Eight to ten sessions of transdiagnostic group CBT developed by practising clinicians seemed sufficient in improving anxiety and depressive symptoms, daily functioning, and quality of life in patients from an outpatient anxiety disorders clinic in a hospital setting. (2) Patients that completed treatment reported significantly more impairment in daily functioning before treatment than participants who dropped out. (3) High attrition rates suggest that organisational factors need to be considered while implementing evidence-based treatments into routine clinical practice.

Social anxiety disorder in adolescents: Prevalence and subtypes in the Young-HUNT3 study

BackgroundFew studies have examined the prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) among adolescents and the associated sex-specific fears. No previous studies have reported variance in SAD prevalence among adolescents based on a stepwise diagnostic approach. MethodsUsing various diagnostic thresholds from the Anxiety Disorders Interview Schedule child version, and the diagnostic criteria from both the 4th and 5th editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), we explored the point prevalence of SAD among a population-based sample of 8216 adolescents aged 13–19 years. ResultsOverall, 2.6% of adolescents met the SAD diagnostic criteria. The prevalence varied from 2.0% to 5.7% depending on the criteria-set. Twice as many females met the overall SAD criteria. The DSM-IV generalized SAD subtype was assigned to 86.5% of the sample, while 3.5% met the DSM-5 performance-only subtype. Compared with males aged 16–19 years, significantly more of those aged 13–15 years met the SAD criteria; no significant age group differences were found among females. ConclusionsThis is the first study to demonstrate variance in SAD prevalence among adolescents based on the diagnostic threshold method. Depending on the threshold applied, SAD prevalence among adolescents varied from 2.0% to 5.7%. Age and sex differences in social fear experiences highlight the importance of considering developmental heterogeneity in SAD, especially for adapting prevention and treatment interventions.

Social Anxiety Disorder: Current Status of Prevalance, Comorbidity, and Impairment

Since the last quarter of the last century, knowledge about the epidemiology of social anxiety disorder (SAD) has continued to expand. Therefore, the present study aimed to present an up-to-date and holistic examination of the prevalence of SAD in the general population in various continents and regions around the world. Epidemiological studies in databases since 2001 have been extensively searched and as a result, 43 community studies have been identified. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates of SAD in community samples in all countries were 5.6% and 2.6%, respectively. In America, Europe, and Oceania countries with relatively high socioeconomic levels, the prevalence of SAD was the highest; in Asia, Africa, and Middle East countries, the prevalence rates were relatively the lowest. It was noteworthy that the age of onset of the disorder was quite early and it was more common in females than males. At the same time, SAD was associated with worse mental health status and decreased quality of life in various fields—such as family, social relationships and education. In addition, SAD stands out as a persistent and highly comorbid disorder. Although the prevalence of SAD varies in various epidemiological studies, it has been observed that it was one of the most common anxiety disorders in many studies. It was considered that the understanding toward the SAD and initiatives to treatment-seeking behavior will improve considerably with information obtained from the general population—such as the frequency of occurrence, age of onset, and the course of the disorder.

Investigative factors affecting social anxiety based on the brain-behavior model: a qualitative study

Background and Aim: Social anxiety disorder usually appears in childhood or early adolescence and often has long-term effects on several areas of a person's life, including school and education; Population-based studies have assessed the prevalence of social anxiety disorder among adolescents using clinical diagnostic interviews. This research was conducted with the aim of investigative the components of social anxiety based on the brain-behavior model. Method: The method of qualitative research was using the theme method with Etrid-Sterling approach. With the purposeful sampling method, by reviewing texts from reliable sources in the field of social anxiety based on brain-behavior models in the years 1960-2023, the desired information was collected with 39 articles until theoretical saturation. Then the obtained information was coded and classified. Results: In the first stage of coding, 112 basic themes were extracted from the texts. In the second stage, 22 organizing themes were abstracted based on the degree of validity of the obtained concepts. In the third stage, 3 themes including low sensitivity of behavioral activation, high sensitivity of behavioral inhibition and heightened reactive sensitivity of fight, flight and flop were identified as comprehensive themes related to the components of social anxiety based on the behavioral brain model. Validation of data was checked and confirmed using content validity and reliability of themes using the Holsti method. Conclusion: Based on the results of the research, the awareness of researchers and therapists about the components of social anxiety based on the brain-behavior model should be considered in the design and application of more effective treatments that activate the behavior of people with social anxiety.

The Prevalence and Sociodemographic Correlates of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Focused National Survey

Background Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is among the most common anxiety disorders worldwide with data largely emerging from the Euro-American and Pacific Rim populations. In contrast, there is a dearth of studies among the populations of Arabian Gulf countries including Oman. This study has two interrelated aims: (i) to explore the prevalence of SAD among Omani adults, and (ii) to tease out the links between socio-demographic factors and SAD in Oman. Methods A cross-sectional study via an online survey was conducted among 1019 adult Omani nationals residing in Oman. The presence of SAD was assessed using the Arabic version of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS). Results Nearly half the participants (45.9%, n = 468) exhibited “caseness” for SAD as defined by LSAS. In the multivariate logistic analysis, participants below 40 years of age were 1.6 times (OR = 1.568, p = .026) more likely to have caseness for SAD than those who were 40 and older. Women were 1.3 times (OR = 1.348, p = .038) more likely to exhibit caseness for SAD than men. Participants who had secondary or undergraduate education were respectively 1.5 times (OR = 1.45, p = .014) and 2.5 times (OR = 2.509, p < .001) to have caseness for SAD than those who were graduates. Conclusion The present data suggest that 45.9% of the participants reached the cut-off for caseness in LSAS, which is high compared to reports from other populations. The present accrued frequency is discussed within the context of the accrued response rate, socio-cultural factors as well as the tendency for self-reported measures to “produce” spurious results is also highlighted which, in turn, calls for studies that adopt more inclusive survey methods.

Epidemiology of social phobia in Andalusia

IntroductionPopulation studies on social anxiety disorder (SAD) are relatively scarce and there is no previous reported evidence on prevalence or correlates of SAD in an Andalusian general population sample. Material and methodsWe used a random representative sample previously identified via standard stratification procedures. Thus, a final sample of 4507 participants were included (response rate 83.7%). Interviewees were thoroughly assessed on sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial factors, including: exposures to threatening life events (TLEs), childhood abuse, personality disorder and traits (neuroticism, impulsivity, paranoia), global functioning, physical health and toxics consumption. SAD diagnosis was ascertained using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Both, pooled prevalences (with 95% confidence intervals) and risk correlates for SAD were estimated using binary logistic regression. ResultsEstimated prevalence for SAD was 1.1% (95% CI=0.8-1.4). Having a SAD diagnosis was independently and significantly associated with younger age, poorer global functioning, higher neuroticism and paranoia personality traits, having suffered childhood abuse and exposure to previous TLEs. Furthermore, SAD was significantly associated with comorbid personality disorder, major depression, panic disorder and alcohol abuse. ConclusionsAmong this large Andalusian population sample, the prevalence of SAD and its associated factors are relatively similar to previously reported international studies, although no population study had previously reported such a strong association with paranoia.

Prevalence of Social Anxiety Disorder among Medical Students from Six Medical Schools in Khartoum State

Background: Social anxiety disorder (social phobia) is a type of anxiety disorder which is characterized by significant anxiety and discomfort about being embarrassed, humiliated, rejected, or looked down on in social interactions. Although it affects about 30% of adults worldwide at some point in their lives, lifetime social anxiety disorder affects only about 4% of the world population. People with this disorder experience extreme fear of social interactions (e.g., public speaking and meeting new people). This anxiety affects daily functions and lasts at least six months. They may also experience strong physical symptoms like rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and full-blown attacks. Social phobia can be treated by a combination of psychotherapy and medical treatment (e.g., anti-anxiety, antidepressants, and beta-blockers).&#x0D; Methods: This study was conducted using the Arabic SPIN and a group of questions to assess the associated factors, complications, and sociodemographic determinate of social anxiety disorder and included a total of 375 medical students from different universities and educational years.&#x0D; Results: The overall prevalence of social anxiety disorder among our participants was 61.3%, of which 19.2% had mild, 21.6% moderate, 10.9% severe, and 9.6% had very severe SAD. There was a significant difference regarding self-esteem, academic achievement, and drug addiction between students with social phobia and students with no social phobia.&#x0D; Conclusion: Social phobia is quite prevalent among Sudanese medical students, particularly the severe form of the disorder with no significant gender differences. It seems to affect self-esteem and academic achievement and can be associated with drug addiction.

SOCIAL PHOBIA (SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER) DURING COVID-19 IN MEDICAL INTERNSHIP STUDENTS

Background &amp; Method: A cross sectional study was conducted on 100 internship students (50 male and 50 female students). To assess Social Phobia (Social Anxiety Disorder) during COVID-19 Pandemic in medical internship students based on determination of frequency, quantifying the symptoms, severity &amp; socio demographic profile, duration of study – conducted from May to July 2020.&#x0D; Result: In our study we found, social phobia present in 44% in males &amp; 38% in females. ?2 = 7.714, p = 0.05, Highly significant.&#x0D; Conclusion: According to my study, frequency of Social Phobia is 82% during COVID-19 in medical internship students. Our study suggests that during COVID-19, mild and moderate degree of social phobia is maximum in medical interns of both sexes. Proper psycho education along with sessions of applied relaxation and social skills training was given to medical internship students because of their high prevalence of social anxiety disorder during COVID-19 which was quite successful.&#x0D; Keywords: social phobia, clinical, anxiety &amp; disorder.