Social phobia is commonly regarded as a kind of disease caused by a deficient inner mechanism, but it may also be considered as a purposeful interpersonal pattern of self-protection from social threats. Though a critical assessment of several theoretical perspectives, this book attempts to clarify social phobia by critically discussing four questions: what is social phobia, what causes it, what is its nature and what kinds of treatments can improve.

Social phobia is commonly regarded as a kind of disease caused by a deficient inner mechanism, but it may also be considered as a purposeful interpersonal pattern of self-protection from social threats. Though a critical assessment of several theoretical perspectives, this book attempts to clarify social phobia by critically discussing four questions: what is social phobia, what causes it, what is its nature and what kinds of treatments can improve.

This book presents an alternative approach to social phobia, arguing that it can only be formulated and understood in interpersonal terms.