Social phobia has a direct effect on the ability of the individual to inter
act with others in social or work situations and as a result is associated
with a high level of dysfunction. The level of impairment is as severe as t
hat found in other chronic disorders such as depression and is increased by
a cascade of comorbidity, which complicates management. Efficacy in social
phobia was reported with the MAOIs and this led to the investigation of re
versible inhibitors of monoamine oxidase - A (RIMA) which offer a safer alt
ernative. The efficacy of moclobemide has been shown in social phobia and t
he effect is more clear cut in patients with more severe symptoms. The bett
er effect in severe social phobia has also been reported with the SSRI paro
xetine. Effective treatment of social phobia appears to be able to overcome
the substantial chronicity of illness which is frequent in sufferers. The
introduction of these treatments should encourage people with social phobia
to seek medical help for this hitherto much neglected disorder.