발병연령에 따른 사회공포증의 임상고찰

A Clinical Study of Social Phobia In Comparison with the Early Onset Group and the Late Onset Group

Most of social phobics had their first symptoms in mid to late teens. The onset of social phobia tends to decline after the age of 30. Our clinical experience was that clinical features of late onset group is different from early group. The clinical records of 834 social phobics were reviewed, who had visited Koryo General Hospital, Seoul, Korea, from 1982 to 1991. For comparison, subjects were divided into two groups : the early onset group before the age of 14，and the late group after the age of 31. The main symptom, subtype, phobic situation, precipitating factor, degree of social adjustment, and response to treatment were compared from their records. Results were as follows 1) Frequently complained symptoms were eye to eye contact, emitting order, dysmorphic symptom in early age group and tensing up, blushing, and trembling in late group. 2) Simple type was the most frequently seen in late onset group yet the type of idea of harming others was the most frequently seen in early onset group. 3) Frequently employed defense mechanism of early onset group was projection and that of late onset group was introjection. 4) The situation that evoked symptoms of late onset group was performing the task in the small group and that of early onest group was confronting others. 5) The precipitating factor was clear in late onset group and that of early onset group was obscure. 6) Late onset group was better adjusted than early onset group in social life. 7) Late onset group was reluctant to participate in group therapy