In brief

MRI scans reveal altered brain response to criticism in patients with social phobia

Generalized social phobia is the most common type of anxiety disorder. Patients with this disorder avoid social situations and are at higher risk for depression, alcohol abuse, and drug abuse. Many imaging studies have suggested that the disorder may involve abnormal activation of certain parts of the brain in response to other people's facial expressions.

A study published in October 2008 extended these findings by examining the brain's response to criticisms. The study enrolled 17 patients with generalized social phobia and 17 healthy controls.