Generalized Social Phobia Versus Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Commentary on Three Studies

The findings of Herbert, Hope, and Bellack (1992), Holt, Heimberg, and Hope (1992), and Turner, Beidel, and Townsley (1992) are largely consistent. Avoidant personality disorder and generalized social phobia appear to be overlapping constructs that have only minor differences with respect to severity of dysfunction. This commentary addresses the implications of the findings with respect to the validity of the categorical distinction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (rev. 3rd ed.; American Psychiatric Association, 1987) between avoidant personality and generalized social phobia, revisions of their respective diagnostic criteria, and their reclassification as either an anxiety or a personality disorder. Methodological and substantive suggestions for future research are also discussed.