mental health disorders
Social Anxiety Disorder
Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
Exposure therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy Antidepressants, usually selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) Like other anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder varies in severity over time. Social anxiety often persists if left untreated, causing many people to avoid activities that they would otherwise like to do. Many people with social anxiety never seek treatment but instead develop their own strategies for managing it. For example, they might avoid social situations, "self-medicate" with alcohol or marijuana, or just uncomfortably grit their way through social obligations. However, there are effective treatment options for social anxiety disorder. Exposure therapyis usually effective. But arranging for exposure to last long enough to allow people to get used to the anxiety-provoking situation and grow comfortable in that situation may not be easy. For example, people who are afraid of speaking in front of their boss may not be able to arrange a series of speaking sessions in front of that boss. Substitute situations may help, such as joining a community group that helps with public speaking or reading a book to nursing home residents. Cognitive-behavioral therapymay also help. With this therapy, people learn to do the following: Use relaxation techniques Identify patterns of thinking and behavior that may trigger anxiety or panic Adjust those patterns of thinking Modify their behavior accordingly Medications for Treatment of Depression , such as SSRIs, and benzodiazepines (antianxiety medications) can often help people with social anxiety. SSRIs are usually preferred because they, unlike benzodiazepines, are unlikely to interfere with cognitive-behavioral therapy. Benzodiazepines affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and can cause sleepiness and memory problems. Beta-blockers may be used to reduce the increased heart rate, trembling, and sweating experienced by people who are distressed by performing in public, but these medications do not reduce anxiety itself. 