Treatments for Social Anxiety Disorder
En Español (Spanish Version)
If you are diagnosed with
social anxiety disorder
, your doctor may prescribe medication to help you feel less anxious and afraid. A doctor or counselor who is trained in treating social anxiety disorder can also help you to become more comfortable in social situations. The optimal treatment for most patients includes a combination of drug therapy and psychotherapy (eg,
cognitive-behavioral therapy
).
Treatment involves the following:
Surgical procedures are not indicated for the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
American Psychiatric Association.
Diagnosis and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders: DSM-IV-TR.
American Psychiatric Association; 2000.
Schneier FR. Clinical practice. Social anxiety disorder.
N Engl J Med.
2006;355:1029-1036.
Social phobia (social anxiety disorder). National Institute of Mental Health
website. Available at:
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/anxiety-disorders/social-phobia-social-anxiety-disorder.shtml
.
Updated October 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008.
Last Reviewed November 2012