psychiatric disorders
Social Anxiety Disorder
Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
Cognitive-behavioral therapy Exposure therapy Sometimes a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) As with other anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder varies in severity and waxes and wanes over time. Many people with social anxiety never seek treatment but instead develop their own set of strategies. For example, they might minimize or avoid social situations, "self-medicate" with drugs such as alcohol or marijuana, or just uncomfortably grit their way through social obligations. However, there are multiple therapeutic options available for patients ( Treatment reference ). Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) involves teaching patients to recognize and control their distorted thinking and false beliefs as well as instructing them on how to use Treatment reference (controlled exposure to the anxiety-provoking situation). Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) and benzodiazepines are also effective for social anxiety, although benzodiazepines may be physically addictive and may also impair thinking and memory ( For patients who experience distress when they need to perform in public, beta-blockers may be prescribed to reduce the increased heart rate, trembling, and sweating. 1.Williams T, McCaul M, Schwarzer G, et al: Pharmacological treatments for social anxiety disorder in adults: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.Acta Neuropsychiatr32(4):169-176, 2020. doi: 10.1017/neu.2020.6 