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Screening For Social Anxiety Disorder In First Year University Students: A Pilot Study, Ian Wilson

Ian G Wilson

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterised by fear of negative evaluation.1 Sufferers become anxious when they perceive themselves as the centre of attention, finding it difficult to speak in public, attend social events and deal with authority figures. It is common, with an annual prevalence of 2.7% in Australia, but elsewhere in the western world it is higher (3–4%) and has a lifetime incidence of 7–13%. It has significant impact on education and employment, with lower levels of educational achievement and lower incomes.There are several screening tests for social anxiety disorder. The 24 question Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale is reliable, …