Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
By Arlin Cuncic, About.com Guide
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.
- Types of Therapy for SAD
- Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy
- Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Principles of ACT
- Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)
- Psychoanalysis
- Behavior Therapy
- Social Skills Training (SST)
- How to Talk to a Therapist
- How to Find an Anxiety Therapist
- Exposure
- Systematic Desensitization
Changing Negative Thinking
Negative thought patterns play a role in the development and maintenance of social anxiety. Most types of therapy work to address the negative thoughts that contribute to your anxiety symptoms. In addition, many self-help strategies include a component that helps you to reduce the frequency of negative thinking.
- 8 Tips to Changing Negative Thinking
- Cognitive Restructuring
- Negative Bias
- Negative Automatic Thoughts
- Negative Core Beliefs
- Schemas
- Thought Records
- Unhelpful Thinking Styles
- Understanding Thought Diaries
- Thought Diary PDF
- How to Complete a Thought Diary
- Thought Stopping and Social Anxiety Disorder
- Mindfulness and Social Anxiety Disorder
- How to Stop Thinking Negatively
- How to Cope With Criticism
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
Herbal supplements are one example of 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.
- Hypnotherapy
- Neurolinguistic Programming
- Dietary Supplements
- St. John's Wort
- Valerian Root
- Passion Flower
Self-Help Strategies
Self-help strategies for coping with SAD are generally best used as a complement to traditional treatments. Self-help strategies can include anything from relaxation strategies to self-administered exposure training. If you have already received formal treatment or have only mild social anxiety, you may find these types of strategies helpful.
