Social phobia : examining the empirical shortcomings of the most prevalent anxiety disorder

Social phobia, which is notably the fear of being negatively evaluated, humiliated, or embarrassed by others in social situations, has become the most prevalent anxiety disorder and the third most diagnosed mental disorder in the nation (Orsillo & Hammond, 2001). Although social phobia is no longer considered to be the neglected anxiety disorder (Liebowitz, Gorman, Fyer, & Klein, 1987), it remains an often undertreated, misunderstood, and understudied anxiety disorder (Cuthbert, 2002). The purpose of this paper is to examine the numerous discrepancies and shortcomings within social phobia literature in regards to defining, diagnosing, measuring, and treating social phobia. Recommendations are also noted regarding future directions of social phobia research