Differential manifestations of generalized social phobia and circumscribed speech phobia

Abstract

This study investigated differences among outpatients with circumscribed speech phobia (n = 12), generalized social phobia without avoidant personality disorder (n = 20), or generalized social phobia with avoidant personality disorder (n = 9). Overt behavior, verbal reports, and psychophysiological reactivity were compared among groups. Results supported the idea of dimensionality within the social phobia diagnosis. Circumscribed (speech) phobia appears to be somewhat distinctive, as the generalized social phobia groups presented with greater symptom severity. The circumscribed speech phobia and the generalized social phobia with avoidant personality disorder patients were the most distinctive, presumably representing ends of a social phobia severity continuum. Overall psychopathology was most pronounced in the generalized social phobia with avoidant personality disorder group, which differed from the generalized social phobia without avoidant personality disorder group only on a few measures. There was substantial similarity between these latter groups, consistent with other contemporary research. Issues of diagnostic classification were addressed.