AGORAPHOBIA, SIMPLE PHOBIA, AND SOCIAL PHOBIA IN THE NATIONAL COMORBIDITY SURVEY

Background: Data are presented on the general population prevalences, correlates, comorbidities, and impairments associated with DSM-III-R p hobias. Methods: Analysis is based on the National Comorbidity Survey. Phobias were assessed with a revised version of the Composite Interna tional Diagnostic Interview. Results: Lifetime (and 30-day) prevalence estimates are 6.7% (and 2.3%) for agoraphobia, 11.3% (and 5.5%) for s imple phobia, and 13.3% (and 4.5%) for social phobia. Increasing lifet ime prevalences are found in recent cohorts. Earlier median ages at il lness onset are found for simple (15 years of age) and social (16 year s of age) phobias than for agoraphobia (29 years of age). Phobias are highly comorbid. Most comorbid simple and social phobias are temporall y primary, while most comorbid agoraphobia is temporally secondary. Co morbid phobias are generally more severe than pure phobias. Despite ev idence of role impairment in phobia, only a minority of individuals wi th phobia ever seek professional treatment. Conclusions: Phobias are c ommon, increasingly prevalent, often associated with serious role impa irment, and usually go untreated. Focused research is needed to invest igate barriers to help seeking.