American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free ABPN Practice Questions and Study Guide

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is characterized by an intense fear of social situations where individuals may be scrutinized or judged. It is commonly associated with various comorbidities, including those that can be linked to the experience of anxiety and avoidance behaviors in social contexts.

When considering the comorbidity most likely to be associated with social phobia, alcohol abuse and drug abuse are often present as individuals may use substances to cope with anxiety in social settings, leading to an increased risk of substance use disorders. Major depressive disorder frequently co-occurs as well, as the chronic anxiety and avoidance behaviors can contribute to feelings of isolation and lead to depression.

In contrast, conversion disorder, which involves neurological symptoms that cannot be explained by medical conditions, does not have a direct or strong association with social phobia. While both disorders can be affected by anxiety, conversion disorder typically presents with physical symptoms rather than social anxiety. Thus, it is less likely to be found as a comorbidity in patients suffering from social phobia compared to the more common associations with substance abuse or major depressive disorder.