Abstract:

Objective To study the characteristics of self-focused attention and make a clear knowledge on the impact of self-focused attention,anxiety-related body sensations,judgment of anxiety-related behaviors in patients with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Methods In the social interaction context,the SAD patients(n=32) and healthy controls (n=35)  were investigated in the characteristics of self-focused attention,anxiety-related body sensations and judgment of anxiety-related behaviors. Results The levels of self-focused attention and  anxiety-related body sensations in SAD group were higher than those in healthy control group (P<0.01). The self-focused attention was positively related to the bias of judgment,the self assessment scores of anxiety-related behaviors and the anxiety-related body sensations （r=0.906，P<0.01； r=0.776，P<0.01；
r=0.433，P<0.01）. Conclusion The SAD  patients who selectively pay attention to self-related information will due to more anxiety-related body sensations and the bias of judgment in anxiety-related behaviors. 

Key words: social anxiety disorder;self-focused attention;judgmental biases