Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
By Arlin Cuncic, About.com Guide to Social Anxiety Disorder
Cognitive-behavioral therapy and medication are the two primary methods of treating social anxiety disorder (SAD). When used alone or in combination, these forms of treatment have been shown to greatly improve symptoms of social anxiety. In addition, a number of alternative therapies are currently being investigated and may prove helpful in the future.
Therapy
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), both in individual and group settings, is an effective form of therapy for SAD and is usually the first choice in terms of therapeutic treatment. Other forms of therapy (such as psychodynamic and interpersonal) have been used with SAD. However, the effectiveness of these treatments is still being investigated.
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy
- Behavior Therapy
- Exposure
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Negative Bias
Medication
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the primary form of medication used for treating SAD, although other medications such as benzodiazepines, beta blockers, and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) have been used. Paxil (paroxetine) was the first medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for treating SAD.
Alternative Treatments
Self-help strategies and herbal supplements are some of the alternative treatment strategies employed by people diagnosed with SAD. Although these are not well-validated methods for treating SAD, they may be worth considering as coping strategies or as alternatives if traditional treatment methods prove ineffective.
