The prognosis and incidence of social phobia in an elderly population. A 5-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the prognosis and incidence of social fears and phobia in an elderly population sample followed for 5 years.

METHOD: A general population sample (N = 612) of non-demented men (baseline age 70) and women (baseline age 70 and 78-86) was investigated in 2000-2001 and in 2005-2006 with semi-structured psychiatric examinations including the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale, and the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. Social phobia was diagnosed according to the DSM-IV criteria.

RESULTS

Among nine individuals with DSM-IV social phobia in 2000, 5 (55.6%) had no social fears in 2005, and 1 (11.1%) still met the criteria for DSM-IV social phobia. Among individuals without DSM-IV social phobia in 2000 (N = 603), 12 (2.0%) had DSM-IV social phobia in 2005.

CONCLUSION

These findings challenge the notion that social phobia is a chronic disorder with rare occurrence in old age.