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Complications
Left untreated, social anxiety disorder can be debilitating. Your anxieties may run your life. They can interfere with work, school, relationships or enjoyment of life. You may be considered an "underachiever," when in reality it's your fears holding you back from excelling. In severe cases, you may drop out of school, quit work or lose friendships.
Social anxiety disorder can also lead to other health problems, such as:
- Substance abuse
- Excessive drinking
- Depression
- Suicide
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). In: Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR. 4th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2000. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Hollander E, et al. Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). In: Hales RE, et al., eds. The American Psychiatric Publishing Textbook of Psychiatry. 5th ed. Arlington, Va.: American Psychiatric Association; 2008. http://www.psychiatryonline.com. Accessed June 11, 2009
- Bruce TJ, et al. Social anxiety disorder. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Phobic disorders. The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec15/ch196/ch196e.html. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). National Institute of Mental Health. http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-phobia-social-anxiety-disorder/index.shtml#SocialPhobia. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Feldman MD, et al. Phobias. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2009. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2008: http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/142893743-5/851356429/1701/448.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-04134-8..50019-7--subchapter28_9560. Accessed June 11, 2009.
- Abramowitz JS. Self-help cognitive-behavioral therapy with minimal therapist contact for social phobia: A controlled trial. Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry. 2009;40:98.
- Ebell MH. Diagnosis of anxiety disorders in primary care. American Family Physician. 2008;78:501.
- Whiteside SP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 17, 2009.
