Differences in clinical presentation between depressed outpatients wanting versus not wanting treatment for comorbid social anxiety disorder

Patients with comorbid major depressive disorder (MDD) and social anxiety disorder (SAD) demonstrate greater severity of symptoms and functional impairment compared with patients with either disorder alone. However, no known studies have examined what differentiates patients who do and do not want treatment for comorbid SAD in addition to MDD. The aim of the current study was to examine clinical characteristics (e.g., variables related to depression and social anxiety severity) of patients who did versus did not desire treatment for comorbid SAD. Results showed that patients who desired treatment for comorbid SAD reported a greater number of social fears and poorer work and current social functioning compared with patients who did not desire treatment for SAD. Work functioning and number of social fears remained significant after controlling for depression and overall illness severity. Results suggest that future treatments adapted for comorbid MDD and SAD perhaps should target work functioning and a broad range of social fears.