Science News about Social Phobia

National Survey Dispels Notion that Social Phobia is the Same as Shyness

Science Update • October 17, 2011
Normal human shyness is not being confused with the psychiatric anxiety disorder known as social phobia, according to an NIMH survey comparing the prevalence rates of the two among U.S. youth.

Social Phobia Patients Have Heightened Reactions to Negative Comments

Science Update • October 22, 2008
In a study using functional brain imaging, NIMH scientists found that when people with generalized social phobia were presented with a variety of verbal comments about themselves and others ("you are ugly," or "he's a genius," for example) they had heightened brain responses only to negative comments about themselves.