Phobias & Social Anxiety

Key points

• Specific phobia: marked fear of an object/situation, out of proportion, with avoidance.
• Social anxiety disorder: fear of scrutiny/embarrassment in social situations.
• Agoraphobia: fear of situations where escape is difficult (public transport, crowds) — may become housebound.
• Management: CBT with graded exposure first-line for all phobias.
• Social anxiety: SSRI option; beta-blockers for performance-only anxiety.

Decision points in this pathway

• Social anxiety with medication need?

The full step-by-step algorithm, including what to do at each branch, opens in the app for approved members.