Recent developments in child and adolescent social phobia.

The following article discusses research trends in childhood and adolescent social phobia during the past year. Of particular importance are findings regarding prevalence rates, cognitive variables and social skills deficits, temperamental influences, and the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Recent prevalence rates of social anxiety disorder in children and adolescents range from 0.5% to 4.0%. Findings regarding the role of cognitive processes and social skills deficits in childhood social phobia are supported. Recent longitudinal data investigating the stability of extremes of behavioral inhibition have found that it persists from childhood into adolescence. Initial data regarding the use of SSRIs suggest that they may be a promising treatment option.