Prognostic implications of social anxiety comorbidity in major depressive disorder. Evidence from three large samples with adult and older patients

Key Points

• Social anxiety disorder comorbidity in major depressive disorder leads to earlier illness onset and increased anxiety burden, impacting patient treatment.
• The associations of social anxiety with suicidality and antidepressant outcomes are modest, highlighting the complexity of mental health interactions.
• Analysis across three large samples of adults and older patients demonstrates the variations in how social anxiety influences major depressive disorder.
• These findings indicate the need for tailored treatment approaches, especially in older patients with historical anxiety issues.