Sociocultural interpretations of social phobia in a non-heterosexual female

Social Phobia is a prominent anxiety disorder that is not well understood, especially among socially marginalized, non-heterosexual individuals. A case description of Social Phobia symptoms in a female who is unsure of her sexual identity is presented and analyzed. The diagnostic assumptions of Social Phobia as applied to the case are critically examined. The goal is to highlight unanswered questions regarding social anxiety among non-heterosexuals and to open a discussion of cultural etiological theory. Implications for treating Social Phobia with a cultural component are discussed.