Social phobia viewed as a problem in social functioning: a pilot study of group behavioral treatment

Available treatments of social phobia reduce anxiety and avoidance of social situations. Social functioning however. remains relatively unaffected. This study piloted a behavioral group treatment that aimed at improving patients' individual difficulties in social functioning. Five patients fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for social phobia were selected for treatment by a 16-session behavioral group treatment focusing on improving interpersonal functioning both in specific phobic situations as well as in different spheres of social life in general. Four out of 5 patients completed treatment and showed individual patterns of clinically significant improvement. Their individual test-score results and case-histories are presented. Three patients no longer fulfilled to the diagnostic criteria at the end of treatment; the fourth - at 6 month follow-up. This was maintained at a 2 year follow-up. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.