By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    UV damage to eyes
    Warning Signs of Long-Term UV Damage to Your Eyes
    December 9, 2021
    degree for healthcare job
    The Ultimate Healthcare Recruiting and Staffing Guidebook
    March 21, 2022
    medicare part d benefits
    Everything that You Need to Know About Medicare Part D
    August 15, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Conservatives: The Utah Health Exchange is Not a Model
    July 23, 2011
    Medical Malpractice Reform Losing Physician Support
    November 7, 2011
    Hospitals Aim to Apply Direct Payments of Care Delivery to Increase Resources
    August 28, 2012
    Latest News
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
    Strengthening Healthcare Systems Through Clinical and Administrative Career Development
    June 13, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Shyness By Any Other Name
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Shyness By Any Other Name
Public Health

Shyness By Any Other Name

psalber
Last updated: May 14, 2012 8:01 am
psalber
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

 

It has been a long time since I visited our friend, the Neuroskeptic, a blogging neuroscientist from across the pond…enjoy…Pat

by Neuroskeptic

Neuroskeptic, The United Kingdom

 

It has been a long time since I visited our friend, the Neuroskeptic, a blogging neuroscientist from across the pond…enjoy…Pat

by Neuroskeptic

Neuroskeptic, The United Kingdom

People think of “social anxiety disorder” as more serious than “social phobia” – even when they refer to exactly the same thing.

Laura C . Bruce et al did a telephone survey of 806 residents of New York State. They gave people a brief description of someone who’s uncomfortable in social situations and often avoids them. The question was: should they seek mental health treatment for this problem?

When the symptoms were labelled as “social anxiety disorder”, 83% of people recommended treatment. But when the same description was deemed “social phobia”, it dropped to 75%, a statistically significant difference.

OK, that’s only an 8% gap. It’s a small effect, but then the terminological difference was a small one. “Anxiety disorder” vs “Phobia” is about a subtle a distinction as I can think of actually. Imagine if one of the options had been a label that didn’t imply anything pathological – “social anxiety” or “shyness”. That would probably have had a much bigger impact.

This matters, especially in regards to current debates over the upcoming DSM-5 psychiatric diagnostic manual. Lots of terminological changes are planned. This study is a reminder that even small changes in wording can have an impact on how people think about mental illness. Last week I covered another recent piece of research showing that beliefs about other people’s emotions affect how people rate their own mental health.

My point is: DSM-5 will not merely change how professionals talk about the mind. It will change how everyone thinks and behaves.

Bruce, L. (2012). Social Phobia and Social Anxiety Disorder: Effect of Disorder Name on Recommendation for Treatment American Journal of Psychiatry, 169 (5) DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2012.11121808
15 comments Links to this post Labels: 1in4, crazylikeus, media, mental health, papers

TAGGED:mental health
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025
scientist using microscope
When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
Global Healthcare
June 18, 2025

You Might also Like

Medical Loss Ratio Explained: podcast transcript

December 24, 2011

Of ACOs and the Over-imaging of Children

June 12, 2013
medical billing
FinanceHealth ReformHospital AdministrationPolicy & LawPublic Health

HHS Secretary to Create Transparency Mechanisms to Address Medical Billing Costs

May 9, 2013

How to Deal with Intoxicated Patients

March 9, 2016
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?