More intensive probing increases the detection of social anxiety disorders in schizophrenia

Psychiatry Res. 2018 Oct:268:358-360. doi: 10.1016/j.psychres.2018.07.032. Epub 2018 Jul 27.

Abstract

This study examined the influence of the assessment methods in detecting social anxiety disorders (SAD). We used a two-stage procedure to elicit social anxiety symptoms (SAS) to diagnose SAD in 80 people with a schizophrenia spectrum psychotic disorder (SZSPD) from an early intervention program. We observed a 28.8% lifetime prevalence of SAD when considering only the SAS elicited using the SCID probes (first stage), and a significant increase to 48.8% after adding the probes from the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (second stage). In conclusion, the LSAS can increase the sensitivity in detecting SAS and hence SAD comorbid to SZSPD.

Keywords: Comorbidity; Psychosis; Social phobia.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity
  • Fear / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intention
  • Male
  • Phobia, Social / diagnosis*
  • Phobia, Social / epidemiology
  • Phobia, Social / psychology*
  • Prevalence
  • Schizophrenia / diagnosis*
  • Schizophrenia / epidemiology
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*
  • Self Concept
  • Young Adult