Treating Socially Phobic Youth with CBT: Differential Outcomes and Treatment Considerations

Abstract

Social phobia (SP) is characterized by a fear of one or more social or performance situations. Studies of comorbidity in SP youth find anxiety and affective disorders co-occurring. The present study examined children with primary SP and compared them to children with primary Separation Anxiety Disorder (SAD) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) prior to treatment and in response to treatment. The groups differed significantly on self-, parentand teacher-rated pretreatment measures. Additionally, the two groups showed differential treatment outcomes. When the SP youth with comorbid Affective Disorder were excluded in treatment outcome analyses, there were non significant differences, indicating that comorbid affective disorders likely contributed to differential treatment outcome. Results are discussed in terms of treatment recommendations for socially phobic youth.

Evidence Base Update: 50 Years of Research on Treatment for Child and Adolescent Anxiety

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“…This is especially true for the comorbidity of depression and social anxiety in particular, both for symptoms of depression and social anxiety (and subclinical SAD) and disorders of MDD and SAD in youth (Crawley et al 2008;Essau et al 1999;Ranta et al 2009b;Viana et al 2008) and in adults . For example, epidemiological studies have found that 28-41% of youth with SAD also have comorbid depressive disorders, including MDD (Chavira et al 2004;Essau et al 1999;Ranta et al 2009b;Wittchen et al 1999).…”

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