BACKGROUND: Research on the prevalence and characteristics of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is lacking in Chinese communities. METHODS: A random telephone survey of 3006 individuals aged 15-45 years in Hong Kong was conducted using a questionnaire that generated DSM-IV diagnosis and other clinical characteristics of SAD. RESULTS: 3.2% of the participants surveyed met criteria for SAD in the previous year. Their demographic and clinical characteristics are typical. Only 8.7% of sufferers sought medical treatment. LIMITATIONS: No clinical reappraisal was conducted. Severity and comorbidity of SAD were not examined. CONCLUSIONS: SAD is a cross-culturally real illness. The prevalence, chronicity, and under-treatment of SAD in Chinese people calls for further research and efforts to reduce its treatment gap.
BACKGROUND: Research on the prevalence and characteristics of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is lacking in Chinese communities. METHODS: A random telephone survey of 3006 individuals aged 15-45 years in Hong Kong was conducted using a questionnaire that generated DSM-IV diagnosis and other clinical characteristics of SAD. RESULTS: 3.2% of the participants surveyed met criteria for SAD in the previous year. Their demographic and clinical characteristics are typical. Only 8.7% of sufferers sought medical treatment. LIMITATIONS: No clinical reappraisal was conducted. Severity and comorbidity of SAD were not examined. CONCLUSIONS:SAD is a cross-culturally real illness. The prevalence, chronicity, and under-treatment of SAD in Chinese people calls for further research and efforts to reduce its treatment gap.
Authors: Andrea Chronis-Tuscano; Christina M Danko; Kenneth H Rubin; Robert J Coplan; Danielle R Novick Journal: J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol Date: 2018-02-06