Relationship of social phobia with other psychiatric illness

Fifty-seven social phobic patients were studied to identify the comorbidity with other psychiatric illnesses and their temporal relationships. Mood disorders, particularly major depression, was the most common other lifetime diagnosis (70.2%). A large majority (70.2%) suffered from, at least, one other anxiety disorder in their lifetime and, in particular, panic disorder with or without agoraphobia (49.1%). Alcohol (28.1%) and substance (15.8%) abuse or dependence were also common lifetime diagnoses. Social phobia usually predated any episode of mood disorder (81.7%) or any other anxiety disorder (62.7%). Social phobia may predispose individuals to other psychiatric illnesses, in particular major depression.