Social Phobia Group Research Articles

The relationship between social phobia and cognitive impairment in idiopathic generalized epilepsy patients: a cross-sectional study

Objectives: Epilepsy, a neurological disorder affecting approximately 65 million people worldwide, frequently presents with various comorbidities, including cognitive impairment. The factors contributing to cognitive impairment are complex and multifaceted. This study aimed to investigate the influence of social phobia on cognitive function in patients with idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy. Methods: This prospective study recruited 87 adult idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy patients diagnosed according to the International League Against Epilepsy 2017 classification. Differential diagnosis involved electroencephalography, magnetic resonance imaging, and neurological examinations. All participants were assessed for cognitive impairment, social phobia, depression, and anxiety using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Results: A significant majority (73.6%) of participants reported social phobia. Compared to those without social phobia, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment total score was significantly lower in the social phobia group (P=0.002). Additionally, epilepsy duration was significantly longer in the social phobia group (P=0.03). Montreal Cognitive Assessment scores showed a negative correlation with Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-avoidance, Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-total, and age (P=0.003, P=0.005, and P<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: This study suggests that individuals with idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy experiencing social phobia may exhibit lower cognitive function compared to those without. This indicates that comorbid social phobia might negatively impact cognitive abilities in idiopathic generalized tonic-clonic epilepsy patients.

Is helping you helping me? The assessment of helping others using event sampling methodology in a clinical and a non-clinical sample.

Individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder (MDD) and social phobia (SP) have difficulties in social interactions. It is unknown, however, whether such difficulties prevent them from helping others, thereby depriving them of the natural benefits of helping, such as receiving gratitude. Using event sampling methodology (ESM), individuals (MDD, n= 118; SP, n= 47; and control group, n= 119) responded to questions about the frequency of helping, in total at 5333 time points, and their well-being. Contrary to our hypothesis, individuals in the MDD, SP and control group did not differ in their helping frequency. Results did show an association between helping and well-being, such that helping is related to well-being and well-being to helping. Understanding the complex relation of helping others and well-being and how this might be used during therapy and prevention programmes are discussed.

Is There a Difference in Parental Attitudes and Attachment for ADHD-Social Phobia Comorbidity?

Social phobia (SP) is one the commonest of comorbid anxiety disorders seen with ADHD. It is also known that Social phobia and ADHD patients have some differences in parental attitudes and attachment styles. We aimed to investigate the effects attachment status and parental attitudes in ADHD-social phobia comorbidity. 66 children and adolescents with ADHD were included for the study. the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children-Present and Lifetime Version, DSM-5 November 2016-Turkish Adaptation (KSADS-PL-DSM5-T) was used for evaluating diagnosis. Socioeconomic status (SES) was scored with Hollingshead Redlich Scale. Sosyodemografic and clinical data were recorded. Adult Attachment Scale (AAS) and Parental Attitudes Research Instrument (PARI) were completed by the parents. The patients filled Kerns Security Scale (KSS). We compared the ADHD patients with and without SAD comorbidity in terms of scales used and sociodemographic-clinical variables. There were no differences between ADHD + SP group and ADHD without SP group in terms of age, gender, SES, family structure and family history of diagnosed psychiatric disease (p>0.05). Rate of inattentive subtype of ADHD (p=0.05) and comorbid psychiatric disease frequency (p=0.00) was higher in ADHD+SP group compared to ADHD without social phobia group. However, the groups did not differ according to their attachment styles, their parent's attachment styles and parental attitudes (p>0.05). Parental attitudes and attachment styles may not play a role in the development of SP comorbidity in children and adolescents with ADHD. Other biological and environmental factors should be kept in mind when evaluating and treating children with ADHD who have SP. Biological treatments and individualized interventions such as CBT may be chosen as a first line treatment rather than psychotherapies targeting attachment and parenting styles in those children.

Implicit assumptions and interpretation bias in youth with severe, chronic social phobia

Interpretation bias and dysfunctional social assumptions are proposed to play a pivotal role in the development and maintenance of social phobia (SP), especially in youth. In this study, we aimed to investigate disorder-specific implicit assumptions of rejection and implicit interpretation bias in youth with severe, chronic SP and healthy controls (CG). Twenty-seven youth with SP in inpatient/day-care treatment (M age = 15.6 years, 74% female) and 24 healthy controls (M age = 15.7 years, 54% female) were included. The Implicit Association Test (IAT) and the Affect Misattribution Procedure (AMP) were completed to assess implicit assumptions and interpretation bias related to the processing of social and affective stimuli. No group differences were observed for the IAT controlling for depressive symptoms in the analyses. However, group differences were found regarding interpretation bias (p = .017, η2p = .137). Correlations between implicit scores and explicit questionnaire results were medium to large in the SP group (r =|.28| to |.54|, pall ≤ .05), but lower in the control group (r =|.04| to |.46|, pall ≤ .05). Our results confirm the finding of an interpretation bias in youth SP, especially regarding the implicit processing of faces, whereas implicit dysfunctional social assumptions of being rejected do not seem to be specific for SP. Future research should investigate the causal relationship of assumptions/interpretation bias and SP.

The long-term effects of microvascular decompression on social phobia and health-related quality of life in patients with hemifacial spasm: a 3-year prospective study.

Although not a life-threatening condition, hemifacial spasm (HFS) frequently leads to social phobia because it causes significant facial disfigurement and consequently reduces health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The purpose of the current study was to examine the long-term effects of MVD on psychological aspects and HRQoL in HFS patients with social anxiety over a 36-month follow-up. Thirty patients with HFS who underwent MVD from January 2015 to May 2015 were included in this prospective study. Clinical data, including standardized measures of general anxiety and depression (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS)), social anxiety (Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS)), and the severity of HFS, were collected postoperatively, and 6months and 36months after MVD. Likewise, data on HRQoL were collected at baseline, and 6months and 36months after MVD using the Korean version of the Short Form 36 (SF-36). Twenty-two patients who completed the 36-month follow-up were classified into social phobia group and non-social phobia group based on the LSAS total scores of 60. Repeated measures analysis of variance demonstrated significant differences between the two groups over time for the total LSAS score (p < 0.001), anxiety subscale score of the HADS (p = 0.002), and the Mental Component Summary (MCS) (p = 0.046) of the SF-36. A comparison of these two groups in terms of differences observed in their scales at 6months after MVD has shown that the improvements of the social phobia group in HADS anxiety subscale (p = 0.010), LSAS total score (p = 0.008), and MCS (p = 0.040) were significantly more improved than the those of non-social phobia group. And at 36months after surgery, the improvement of the scales mentioned above was maintained, and additionally Vitality (p = 0.040) and Mental Health (p = 0.040) dimensions showed a statistically significant improvement. The improvements previously observed in psychological aspects and HRQoL over a short-term follow-up after MVD in HFS patients with social phobia were maintained for at least 36months after MVD.

Differences in anxiety sensitivity factors between anxiety and depressive disorders.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) refers to the tendency to fear physical sensations associated with anxiety due to concerns about potential physical, social, or cognitive consequences. Many previous studies were limited by the use of the anxiety sensitivity index (ASI) or the ASI-revised (ASI-R), which are both measurements with unitary or unstable structures. No recent study that has utilized the ASI-3 examined the relations between AS dimensions and depression. Thus, we examined multiple relationships between AS and anxiety disorders and depression using the ASI-3. The total sample consisted of 667 outpatients, diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders fourth text revision as assessed by a structured clinical interview. There were eight patient groups: multiple anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder (MDD), panic disorder (PD), social phobia (SP), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), and anxiety disorder not otherwise specified (AD NOS). We conducted one-way analysis of variances and post hoc tests to compare the ASI-3 total and subscale scores across the groups. The physical concern score was higher in patients with PD than patients with MDD, SP, OCD, or GAD. The social concern score was higher in the SP group than those with MDD, PD, GAD, and AD NOS. Patients with GAD and PTSD showed higher cognitive concern scores than the patients with PD. Results partially replicated the relationship between PD and physical concern, between SP and social concern, and between GAD and cognitive concern examining the relationships between AS dimensions and anxiety disorders.

General or specific? The memory–experience gap for individuals diagnosed with a major depressive disorder or a social phobia diagnosis, and individuals without such diagnoses

ABSTRACTPsychological treatment and assessment necessarily rely on patients’ recall. Yet several empirical studies have documented a gap between memory and real-life experience (i.e., memory–experience gap; MeG). We investigated and compared the MeG of sadness, social anxiety, happiness, and physical activity for participants diagnosed with a major depressive disorder (MDD), a social phobia (SP), and participants without such diagnoses (CG). The study included 118 participants diagnosed with a MDD, 47 with a SP, and 119 CG. Using event-sampling methods (ESM), participants were asked via smartphone to report their experiences throughout a week and then to recall those again retrospectively at the end of the study week. Results indicate significant differences in the MeG with respect to the experience that was salient to them (e.g., MDD group – sadness; SP group – social anxiety; CG group – happiness). Furthermore, all groups showed a MeG for physical activity and, the results indicate significant group differences in the magnitude of the MeGs.This study demonstrated the presence of a MeG in individuals in a MDD, SP, and CG group and in positive and negative affective experiences. Differential patterns across the samples contribute to a better understanding of this gap and its implications.

Well-being in major depression and social phobia with and without comorbidity

Background/Objective: Lower levels in well-being have been observed in individuals with Major Depression (MDD) and Social Phobia (SP), but well-planned direct comparisons with control individuals, not suffering from a mental disorder, are lacking. Furthermore, MDD is highly comorbid with anxiety disorders, and SP with depressive disorders. This study is among the first to examine differences in well-being in individuals with a clinical diagnosis of MDD or SP compared to individuals with no such diagnosis and to test differences in well-being within the combined diagnostic categories respective with and without anxiety-depressive comorbidity. Method: Participants were 119 individuals with a diagnosis of MDD, 47 SP and 118 controls. Results: Results revealed that overall well-being as well as emotional, psychological, and social well-being were lower in the MDD and SP group compared to the control group. Individuals with comorbidity reported lower well-being than individuals without comorbidity. Conclusions: These findings have clinical implications as presence of comorbidity may require a different therapeutic approach than with no comorbidity.

Avoidant personality disorder and social phobia: Does mindreading make the difference?

ObjectiveAvoidant personality disorder (AvPD) is closely related to and partially overlaps with social phobia (SP). There is an ongoing debate as to whether AvPD and SP can be classified as separate and distinct disorders or whether these diagnoses rather reflect different degrees of severity of social anxiety. The hypothesis of this study is that in patients with AvPD and in those with AvPD and comorbid SP both interpersonal functioning and metacognitive abilities (the ability to understand mental states) are more severely impaired than they are in patients with SP only. We also hypothesise that the interpersonal and metacognitive functioning of these patients (both AvPD and AvPD+SP) is comparable to that of patients with other PD diagnoses. MethodsTo test this hypothesis, we compared four groups (22 patients with SP, 32 patients with AvPD, 43 patients with both AvPD and SP and 50 patients with other personality disorders without SP and AvPD criteria) on metacognitive abilities, interpersonal functioning and global symptomatic distress. ResultsMetacognitive ability showed significant variation among the four groups, with the lowest score observed in the AvPD group. As far as the interpersonal functioning is concerned, the lack of sociability was more severe in the AvPD group compared with the SP group. These differences were maintained even after controlling for global symptomatic distress. ConclusionResults are in line with the alternative model of PD, proposed in the DSM-5, as dysfunction of the self and relationships. They suggest that specific impairments in critical areas of self domains and interpersonal domains of personality functioning may serve as markers distinguishing AvPD from SP.

Comorbid Social Phobia and Major Depressive Disorder: the Influence of Remission from Depression on Quality of Life and Functioning

Social phobia (SP) and major depressive disorder (MDD) are frequently concurrent, which negatively affects quality of life (QOL), functioning, and depressive symptom severity. We hypothesized individuals with comorbid SP and MDD (MDD + SP) would have worse treatment outcomes than those with MDD alone (MDDnoSP), but that both groups would have significant responses to treatment, and those who achieved MDD remission would have the best increases in QOL and functioning. We analyzed data for 2280 adults who received citalopram monotherapy in phase 1 of the NIH-funded Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study. Participants (82 MDD + SP and 2198 MDDnoSP) with complete entry and exit scores across QOL, functioning, and depressive symptom severity were examined. MDD remission status following treatment was determined. Patient-reported QOL and functioning scores were classified as within-normal or severely-impaired. No significant between-group differences were observed across all outcomes at entry or exit. Both groups experienced significant improvements in QOL and functioning (all p values .77). Although non-significant, the MDD + SP group was more likely to achieve within-normal scores and MDD remission post-treatment. Findings were interesting as we initially expected the MDD + SP participants to have worse outcomes, yet those with MDD alone had a more chronic course. Regardless, participants who were able to achieve MDD remission post-treatment had significantly better improvements in QOL and functioning. Accordingly, researchers and clinicians should utilize QOL and functioning measures when examining treatment effectiveness, while also considering the role of remission from major depressive disorder on quality of life.

Attachment styles in patients with avoidant personality disorder compared with social phobia.

Avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) and social phobia (SP) are common, closely related conditions. Little is known about the underlying processesrelated to the social discomfort of subjects with AvPD and SP. Both disorders areassociated with interpersonal problems. An attachment perspective may shed light on similarities and differences in close relationships between the disorders. The aim of the study was to compare self-reported attachment styles in patients with AvPD and SP. We expected that patients with AvPD would have more attachmentanxiety and avoidance and more often a Fearful attachment style, compared with SP. This is a cross-sectional multisite study of 90 adult patients with AvPD and SP. Patients with AvPD with and without SP (AvPD group) were compared with patients with SP without AvPD (SP group). Patients were assessed using structured diagnostic interviews and self-reporting questionnaires, including Experiences in Close Relationships (ECR). The ECR dimensions, Anxiety and Avoidance, and the new described five factors of the ECR were used. The AvPD group had higher levels of attachment anxiety than the SP group, especially for the sub-factors Anxiety for abandonment and Separation frustration. The diagnostic groups did not differ in levels of avoidance. Anxiety for abandonment was still associated with AvPD after controlling for symptom disorders and the criteria of other personality disorders. A Fearful attachment style was more frequent among patients with AvPD. The results indicate AvPD is associated with more attachment anxiety than SP. Fear of abandonment may play a significant role in the AvPD pathology. This is the first study to compare attachment styles in patients with avoidant personality disorder (AvPD) and social phobia (SP). The AvPD group had higher attachment-related anxiety than the SP group, and anxiety was most pronounced for the fear of abandonment. Fear of abandonment may play an important role in the AvPD pathology.

Avoidant personality disorder versus social phobia: the significance of childhood neglect.

ObjectivesAvoidant personality disorder (AvPD) and social phobia (SP) are common disorders both in the community and in clinical settings. Whether the two disorders represent different severity levels of social anxiety disorder is currently in dispute. The relationship between AvPD and SP is probably more complex than previously assumed. Several environmental, temperamental, and constitutional factors may play a role in the etiology of AvPD and SP. Better knowledge about childhood experiences may shed light on similarities and differences between the two disorders. The aim of this study was to compare self-reported childhood experiences in AvPD and SP patients.DesignThis is a cross-sectional multi-site study of 91 adult patients with AvPD and/ or SP. We compared patients with AvPD with and without SP (AvPD group) to patients with SP without AvPD (SP group).MethodsThe patients were examined using structured diagnostic interviews and self-report measures, including Child Trauma Questionnaire, Parental Bonding Instrument, and Adult Temperament Questionnaire.ResultsBoth AvPD and SP were associated with negative childhood experiences. AvPD patients reported more severe childhood neglect than patients with SP, most pronounced for physical neglect. The difference between the disorders in neglect remained significant after controlling for temperamental factors and concurrent abuse.ConclusionsThe study indicates that childhood neglect is a risk factor for AvPD and may be one contributing factor to phenomenological differences between AvPD and SP.

EPA-1534 - Attention deficit hyperactivity symptoms in patients with social phobia and its affect on disability and quality of life

AimsAim of this study is to determine the prevalence of attention deficit and hyperactivity symptoms, and to compare social phobia patients with high and low level symptoms in terms of disability and quality of life. MethodsThe study included 16 (44.4%) female and 20 (55.6%) male patients with social phobia (SP). The control group consisted of 36 volunteers who did not have any psychiatric disorder. Study and control group were evaluated using Wender-Utah Rating Scale (WURS-25), Turgay Adult Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD/ADHD) DSM-IV-Based Diagnostic Screening and Rating Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), and The Short Form 36 Quality of Life Instrument (SF-36). ResultsNo statistically significant difference was found between the social phobia and control groups, based on gender, education level and mean age. Medium and high levels of ADHD symptoms were determined in 50.0% (n=18) of the SP group. Mean scores of WURS-25 scale, total and sub-scales of the Turgay ADHD scale in the SP group were higher than those of the control group. In the group with high levels of ADHD symptoms, the mental health sub-scale scores of SF-36 scale was statistically significantly lower than the group with low levels of ADHD symptoms. ConclusionsOur results showed that ADHD symptom levels in social phobia patients were higher than controls and this situation can be associated with the deterioration of their mental health.

Applying Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders in Community Settings: Retention, Outcome, and Clinical Considerations.

The efficacy, and to a lesser extent, effectiveness, of individual cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders has been demonstrated, but whether manualized treatments work in a group format in community settings is less established. We investigated the predictors of retention and outcome in 26 groups (11 Generalized Anxiety Disorder, 11 Panic, 4 Social Phobia groups), conducted for more than 10 years in a semirural community mental health center by 19 therapists. Members of the Anxiety Disorders Treatment Team delivered manualized group CBT treatments. Analysis of standard symptom measures at pre- and posttreatment and archival data revealed significant pre-post decreases in anxiety, retention rates comparable to past findings on group retention, and several significant predictors of retention and outcome. Manualized group CBT for anxiety appears to be a viable treatment in community settings. Limitations of the study as well as related practice-research implications of the findings are discussed.

Responding to intrusions in obsessive-compulsive disorder: The roles of neuropsychological functioning and beliefs about thoughts

Background and objectivesThe aim of the current study was to examine cognitive and psychological factors hypothesized to affect responding to intrusions in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). MethodsA group of individuals diagnosed with OCD (N = 22) was compared to a social phobia (SP) group (N = 25) and a nonclinical control group (N = 24). Participants performed a battery of neuropsychological tasks, completed self-report measures, and engaged in a self-relevant thought suppression task. ResultsParticipants in the OCD group demonstrated worse working memory and response inhibition on the neuropsychological tasks and had increased intrusions during the suppression task relative to comparison groups. They also reported more distress during the task relative to the nonclinical group, but not the SP group. Regression analyses revealed that beliefs about thought control failures, but not working memory or response inhibition, was associated with increased frequency of intrusions and greater distress during suppression. LimitationsFuture studies may include a more comprehensive battery of cognitive tests and have a larger sample size. ConclusionsFindings support cognitive-behavioural models of OCD that emphasize the role of meta-beliefs in explaining the struggle with obsessional thoughts.

Effects of Psychodrama on Dysfunctional Beliefs, Fear of Negative Evaluation, Emotion Regulation, and Depression in The Social Phobia Group

본 연구에서는 사이코드라마(psychodrama)가 사회공포증 집단의 역기능적 신념, 부정적 명가에 대한 두려움, 정서조정 및 우울에 미치는 효과를 알아보았다. G시에서 인터넷 파 전단 지를 통해 이전에 천에 사회공포증으로 진단받았거나 현재 사회공포증올 경험하는 지원자 76명을 모집한 후, 사회적 회피 빛 불안 척도를 이용하여 사회공포증 경향을 보인 51명을 우선 선별하였다. 이후 사회공포증 면담 도구를 통해 사회공포증의 진단 준거에 부합하는 20명을 선별하였고, 다시 치료집단에 10명, 얘기통제집단에 10명씩 각각 우선할당 하였다. 최종적으로 치료집단에서 l명, 대기통제집단에서 1명의 탈락자를 제외한 18명이 연구의 마지막까지 참가하였다. 사이코드라마 프로그램은 2일에 걸쳐 매일 각 4회기씩 총 8회기로 구성되었다. 창가자 들을 대상으로 사천, 사후 3개월 추적 검사에서 단축 판 역기능적 신념검사 부정적 평가에 대한 두려움 척도-단축 판, 한국판 정서조절곤란 척도 Beck 우울 척도를 실시하였다. 연구결과 사이 코 드라마 집단의 참가자들이 대기통제집단에 비해 역기능적 신념y 부정적 평가에 대한 두려움, 정서조정곤란 빛 우울에서 유의하게 더 감소되었으며 그 효과가 추적조사까지 지속되었다 마지막으로 본 연구의 의의와 제한 점 및 추후 연구에 대한 제언이 논의 되었다.

Lack of Neuropsychological Deficits in Generalized Social Phobia

There are relatively few existing studies examining neuropsychological functioning in social phobia (SP), which collectively yield mixed results. Interpretation of results is further complicated by a number of methodological inconsistencies across studies, including the examination of neuropsychological domains in relative isolation from one another. The present study utilized a broader collection of neuropsychological tests to assess nine domains of functioning in 25 individuals diagnosed with generalized SP and 25 nonpsychiatric controls (NC). A mixed ANOVA revealed neither a significant group by domain interaction, nor a significant main effect of group. Furthermore, no significant group differences emerged between the SP and NC groups within each specific neuropsychological domain. These findings suggest that underlying neuropsychological deficits are not likely to account for the information processing biases observed in the empirical literature, and appear to be consistent with current theoretical models which argue for the specificity of these biases to social information.

Striatal Functional Alteration During Incentive Anticipation in Pediatric Anxiety Disorders

Behavioral inhibition is an early childhood temperament recently associated with altered striatal response in adolescence to incentives of increasing magnitudes. Since early childhood behavioral inhibition is also associated with risk for adolescent social phobia, a similar pattern of striatal activation may manifest in social phobia. The present study compares striatal function in healthy adolescents, adolescents with social phobia, and adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder. Blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal in striatal regions was examined in 58 medication-free adolescents—14 with social phobia, 18 with generalized anxiety disorder but not social phobia, and 26 with no psychiatric disorder—matched on sex, age, puberty, IQ, and socioeconomic status. During functional magnetic resonance imaging, participants responded to incentive cues depicting potential monetary gains or losses of varying magnitudes. While anticipating incentives of increasing magnitude, adolescents with social phobia showed increasingly heightened caudate and putamen activation at a level greater than that seen in the healthy comparison and generalized anxiety disorder groups. The generalized anxiety disorder group showed a unique valence-specific putamen response relative to the healthy comparison or social phobia group. Both patient groups displayed more complex patterns in the nucleus accumbens than in the caudate or putamen. Caudate and putamen hypersensitivity to incentives of increasing magnitudes characterizes adolescent social phobia, relative to activation in this region in adolescents with generalized anxiety disorder as well as healthy adolescents. Thus, these findings resemble the pattern previously found in adolescents with early childhood behavioral inhibition, thereby implicating similar neural responses to anticipation of incentives in both early childhood behavioral inhibition and adolescent social phobia.

Screening for ADHD in an Adult Social Phobia Sample

Objective: Recent studies have suggested a link between a primary anxiety disorder and ADHD. Method: A total of 39 participants with a primary diagnosis of social phobia were compared with 178 patients with ADHD and 88 patients with other psychiatric disorders on measures for childhood and adult ADHD (the Wender Utah Rating Scale and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale). Results: Childhood symptoms of ADHD were reported by 7.8% of the social phobia participants, and 5.1% scored within the range of adult ADHD. The social phobia group reported significantly fewer ADHD symptoms than both of the comparison groups, who frequently reported social anxiety. Conclusion: Participants with social phobia recruited from the general population are less likely to suffer from ADHD. In contrast, patients with ADHD and patients with other psychiatric disorders appear to be likely to suffer from social anxiety.

A Comparison of Multidimensional Health Profiles across Three Trauma-Exposed Diagnostic Groups

Posttraumatic stress disorder has been associated with adverse health outcomes. The extent to which the health effects of PTSD differ from other diagnoses has not been explored empirically. The current study investigated the Multidimensional Health Profile (including both Psychosocial and Health factors), across three diagnostic groups and one group of well-adjusted participants (N = 92) in a contrasted-groups design. Participants were all trauma-exposed and were assessed using structured clinical interviews. The PTSD and depression groups tended to differ from the social phobia and well-adjusted groups. Both the PTSD and depression groups demonstrated elevated profiles on variables assessing psychological distress, negative social exchange, and hypochondriasis. Results are consistent with prior research suggesting PTSD is associated with worse psychological and health functioning relative to trauma-exposed individuals without PTSD, although these health outcomes seem to differ little between those with PTSD and those with depression.