A community-based telephone survey of social anxiety disorder in Hong Kong

Background ch on the prevalence and characteristics of social anxiety disorder (SAD) is lacking in Chinese communities. s om telephone survey of 3006 individuals aged 15–45 years in Hong Kong was conducted using a questionnaire that generated DSM-IV diagnosis and other clinical characteristics of SAD. s f the participants surveyed met criteria for SAD in the previous year. Their demographic and clinical characteristics are typical. Only 8.7% of sufferers sought medical treatment. tions nical reappraisal was conducted. Severity and comorbidity of SAD were not examined. sions a cross-culturally real illness. The prevalence, chronicity, and under-treatment of SAD in Chinese people calls for further research and efforts to reduce its treatment gap.