Treatment Options

Before exploring treatment options for social anxiety disorder, it is a good idea to first look at the main social anxiety disorder (social phobia) page for a general overview of the condition. Also, while it was not originally intended to be used for self-diagnosis, the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale can help you assess what common fear and avoidance situations of those with social anxiety disorder apply to you. Finally, you should always consult a qualified health care professional before beginning, changing or stopping a treatment.

Various Treatment Options to Consider
Today, several varied options exist to treat social anxiety disorder, or social phobia. These range from different forms of therapy and counseling to various medications and supplements. The key to understanding which treatments may be helpful for you is to investigate all options before making a decision.

1) Psychotherapy
Several different psychotherapies can benefit those with social anxiety. Research studies show that cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is given as one-on-one with a therapist or in a group setting, is the most effective type of psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder. There are other therapies available that also provide benefits to some people, but they do not have the same level of scientific research backing them that CBT does.

What to Consider With Psychotherapy:
If psychotherapy seems like an option that might benefit you, there are several things to consider. First, you'll need to see if there are psychologists and therapists near your location that offer CBT or other helpful services for social anxiety. Second, many people find that group therapy or meetings are a positive course of treatment. Finding a social anxiety group in your area is necessary if you are interested in this form of treatment. Third, if the choice of therapists and therapy groups is limited in your area, you may want to consider online therapy. Finally, there is the option of audio therapy. With audio therapy, the exercises and discussions that take place during CBT are pre-recorded and you can listen to them conveniently without having to be in a specific location.

2) Medication
Many find that medication helps them with their social anxiety. To be treated with medication, here are a few things you need to consider.

What to Consider With Medication:
First, you'll need to find a psychiatrist or other doctor that can prescribe medication. Second, you can learn about the several groups of medications that are commonly prescribed. Anti-depressant medications such as SSRIs and SNRIs increase serotonin levels in the brain. Paxil, Zoloft and Effexor are examples of newer, commonly-prescribed medications in this group that are US FDA approved for social anxiety. Benzodiazepines, such as Klonopin and Xanax, are used in situations that call for a more powerful and quick-acting response. Beta-blockers, like Inderal, can help control the physical symptoms of anxiety. MAOIs, like Nardil and Parnate, are another class of medications used to treat social anxiety, particularly before SSRIs were tested and approved. They are generally very effective, but have diet restrictions and can have more severe side effects.

Other treatment options and information sources you may want to explore can be found below in the full listing of treatment categories:

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