Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMedication OptionsTherapy OptionsAlternative TreatmentsFinding TreatmentNext in Social Anxiety Disorder GuideLiving With Social Anxiety Disorder

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Medication Options

Therapy Options

Alternative Treatments

Finding Treatment

Next in Social Anxiety Disorder Guide

Close

Social anxiety disorder(SAD) involves a persistent fear or anxiety in social settings. This can make group interactions incredibly anxiety-provoking, to the point where some people with this condition avoid them altogether. But help does exist, with the most common social anxiety disorder treatments being medication and psychotherapy.

Here we talk about some of the most common—and most effective—social anxiety disorder medication and therapy options, as well as how to find help if you think that you may have this mental health disorder. The main thing to remember is that treatment is available to ease the fear and anxiety you feel in social situations.

At a GlanceSocial anxiety disorder treatments typically include medication, therapy, or both.There are a variety of options for each, including serotonin reuptake inhibitor and beta-blocker medications, along with various forms of “talk therapy.” A physician ormental health therapistcan help determine the best treatment plan for you based on your condition’s severity and symptoms.

At a Glance

Social anxiety disorder treatments typically include medication, therapy, or both.There are a variety of options for each, including serotonin reuptake inhibitor and beta-blocker medications, along with various forms of “talk therapy.” A physician ormental health therapistcan help determine the best treatment plan for you based on your condition’s severity and symptoms.

Social anxiety disorder treatments

The Best Online Therapy for Anxiety, Tried and Tested

Social Anxiety Disorder Medication Options

Several different types of medications can help treat SAD. This provides your healthcare provider with multiple psychopharmacological options to try when working to resolve or reduce your specificsocial anxiety symptoms.

Here’s an overview of the most common or preferred social anxiety disorder medication options. Drugs within all these categories have been found to be effective in treating this disorder.

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors

Research indicates that SSRIs are the most consistent social anxiety disorder medication for providing benefits, especially when used as a standalone treatment.They’re also the one drug category that has been shown to best reduce the risk of relapse with this disorder.

SSRI medications include:

Due to the potential forwithdrawal effects, SSRIs should always be tapered or their dosage reduced slowly when ending treatment.

Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are anotherclass of antidepressantsused to treat anxiety disorders. As their name suggests, these drugs act on the neurotransmitters serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin affects social behaviors while norepinephrine impacts alertness and attention.

SNRIs have been found to be as effective as SSRIs for treating social anxiety.They may be used as an initial treatment, or they may be used if you’ve tried SSRIs but haven’t obtained the desired therapeutic effects.

SNRI medication options include:

How Reuptake Inhibitor Drugs Work

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors(MAOIs) block the enzyme monoamine oxidase. This helps reduce social anxiety because monoamine oxidase breaks down the neurotransmitters serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Thus, blocking it helps increase the level of these neurotransmitters.

MAOIs were once a first-line treatment for social anxiety disorder. However, these medicines carry a risk of serious side effects if certain dietary and medication guidelines are not followed.This can make them a less desirable treatment option.

That said, if you’ve tried other social anxiety disorder medications and they haven’t worked, your care provider may switch you to an MAOI. This is because MAOIs have been found to be useful when social anxiety symptoms are treatment-resistant.

MAOI medications include:

Dietary Precautions While Taking MAOIs

Beta-Blockers

Because they are quick-acting, beta-blockers are usually taken orally prior to an anxiety-inducing event, such as before a performance or speaking in public. They can help reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, which include a rapid heart rate, hand tremors, and the “butterflies in the stomach” feeling.

Beta-blockers can be especially useful when faced with anxiety-provoking situations that require mental sharpness because they don’t adversely affect cognitive ability.

Drug options in this category include:

Benzodiazepines

Although fast-acting and well-tolerated,benzodiazepine drugshave the potential to be habit-forming. In addition to becoming dependent on the drug, taking benzodiazepines long-term can also increase a person’s risk of cognitive decline and falls.

Clinical guideline recommendations suggest that benzodiazepines should not be used to treat anxiety for longer than eight weeks.

Options in this drug category include:

Other Anxiety Medications

Although evidence of treatment is small, there are a few other medication options that healthcare providers may consider prescribing for social anxiety disorder. They include:

Your physician or mental health therapist can help determine if you might benefit from a social anxiety disorder medication and, if so, which one to try.

Looking for a Psychiatrist? Try One of These 9 Best Online Psychiatry Services

Social Anxiety Disorder Psychotherapy Options

Psychotherapy, also known as “talk therapy,” is another common social anxiety disorder treatment. It can be used alone or it may be used in combination with a social anxiety disorder medication.

The best approach for you depends, in part, on your particular symptoms. People with social anxiety in all group situations often respond best to a combination of medication and therapy, while therapy alone is often sufficient for those with anxiety specific to one type of performance or social situation.

Like the medications, people with social anxiety have various therapy-based options. Each psychological method is geared toward helping create a more positive response when faced with social situations. Here are several to consider.

Social Anxiety Disorder Discussion GuideGet our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.Download PDFSign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.

Get our printable guide to help you ask the right questions at your next doctor’s appointment.

Mind Doc Guide

Download PDF

Sign UpThank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.There was an error. Please try again.

Sign Up

Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up.

There was an error. Please try again.

How to Socialize When You Have Social Anxiety Disorder

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)is a first-line psychotherapeutic treatment for SAD. This form of psychotherapy is designed to modify a person’s thoughts and behaviors in order to positively influence their emotions. Research indicates that CBT is the best intervention for treating social anxiety, especially in the initial treatment phases.

There are three CBT techniques that can help ease social anxiety symptoms:

Exposure

Exposure therapyinvolves either imagining or actually experiencing a specific social situation in real life. The underlying principle is that, through practice and experience, you will become more comfortable in situations that you might otherwise avoid.

The type of exposure can depend on the severity of your symptoms. If you have severe social anxiety, for example, your therapist may begin with imagined exposure. Once you’re more comfortable with imagined experiences, you may then progress to real-life exposures.

Cognitive Restructuring

Cognitive restructuring involves identifyingnegative thoughts, evaluating how true—or untrue—they are, and then constructing more positive thoughts to replace the original thoughts. Challenging negative self-imagery is important to treating social anxiety disorder.

Social Skills Training

Social skills training can include modeling, rehearsal, and role-playing. While it does teach important skills, this type of social anxiety therapy isn’t for everyone as it is more focused on helping people with social interaction deficits above and beyond social anxiety.

We Tried 100+ Therapy Services and Apps—And These Are the 8 Best for Online CBT

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Acceptance and commitment therapy(ACT) is another social anxiety disorder treatment. This therapeutic approach is based on Buddhist philosophy.

Through ACT, people with social anxiety disorder learn how to accept their negative thoughts and anxiety rather than trying to eliminate them. This helps reduce their inner struggle, enabling the symptoms to naturally lessen.

An ACT therapist can use a variety of techniques to help patients accept their social anxiety and make a commitment to change their behaviors. Options include engaging in experiential exercises, values-guided interventions, or mindfulness training.

Psychodynamic Therapy

Psychodynamic therapyinvolves identifying any underlying issues from childhood that may have contributed to social anxiety development. Research indicates that, over the long term, this type of therapy works just as well for treating social anxiety disorder as CBT.

Psychodynamic therapy can be most useful for people with deep, unresolved conflicts contributing to their social anxiety. It may also be helpful in some instances to explore a potential resistance to change.

Some people may respond well to initial treatment and not require anything further, while others may require some form of therapy throughout their lives.

Alternative Social Anxiety Disorder Treatments

Roughly 43% of people with anxiety disorders look foralternative therapies.These can be used in combination with or in place of more traditional treatment methods. While not all alternative treatments have been scientifically proven to help reduce SAD symptoms, some do show promise.

For example, one analysis found that both yoga andmindfulness-based meditationhave been found to enhance anxiety disorder treatment when used in conjunction with other treatment options.Massage therapy has shown positive results for anxiety disorders as well.

One thing to keep in mind is that most studies address the use of alternative treatments for anxiety disorders in general. Thus, it is unclear whether these approaches will work for social anxiety specifically.

Finding Social Anxiety Disorder Treatment

To find the best social anxiety disorder treatment for you, here are some steps you can take:

The best treatment for your social anxiety disorder can depend on the severity of your symptoms and how much this condition affects your daily functioning. The length of treatment also varies.

Before your first appointment, it can also help to take a few notes on your thoughts and feelings so you have a starting point for discussion. Though it may feel difficult initially, the more honest you are with your care provider, the more progress you can begin to make with managing your social anxiety.

Get Help NowWe’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Get Help Now

We’ve tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of thebest online therapy programsincluding Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

Living Well With Social Anxiety Disorder

24 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness.Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045Cleveland Clinic.SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).Bodkin JA, Dunlop BW.Moving on with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Focus. 2021;19(1):50-52. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200046Blando C, Bragdon L, Schneier FR, Liebowitz MR.Chapter 22 - Psychopharmacology of social anxiety disorder.Soc Anxiety (Third Ed). 2014:625-659. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-394427-6.00022-4Cleveland Clinic.Do beta-blockers work for anxiety?Safarudin F, Iloabuchi CO, Ladani A, Sambamoorthi U.The association of beta-blocker use to cognitive impairment among adults with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases in the United States.Chronic Pain Manag. 2020;4:125. doi:10.29011/2576-957x.100025Nielsen S.Benzodiazepines.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2017;34:141-159. doi:10.1007/7854_2015_425Brett J, Murnion B.Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.Aust Prescr. 2015;38(5):152-155. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.055Tanguay Bernard MM, Luc M, Carrier JD, et al.Patterns of benzodiazepines use in primary care adults with anxiety disorders.Heliyon. 2018;4:e00688. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00688Melaragno AJ.Pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders: From first-line options to treatment resistance.Focus. 2021;19(2):145-160. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200048Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584Caldiroli A, Capuzzi E, Tagliabue I, Ledda L, Clerici M, Buoli M.New frontiers in the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder in adults: an up-to-date comprehensive overview.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2023;24(2):207-219. doi:10.1080/14656566.2022.2159373Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dial Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowNordahl HM, Vogel PA, Morken G, Stiles TC, Sandvik P, Wells A.Paroxetine, Cognitive Therapy or Their Combination in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder with and without Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Psychother Psychosom. 2016;85(6):346-356. doi:10.1159/000447013Nagata T, Suzuki F, Teo AR.Generalized social anxiety disorder: A still-neglected anxiety disorder 3 decades since Liebowitz’s review.Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;69(12):724-740. doi:10.1111/pcn.12327Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The efficacy of imagery rescripting compared to cognitive restructuring for social anxiety disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;40:18-28. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.03.009Fung K.Acceptance and commitment therapy: Western adoption of Buddhist tenets?Transcult Psychiatry. 2015;52(4):561-76. doi:10.1177/1363461514537544Leichsenring F, Salzer S, Beutel M, et al.Long-term outcome of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in social anxiety disorder.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(10):1074-1082. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13111514Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Complem Integrat Med. 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043Atezaz Saeed S, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: Benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627

24 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness.Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045Cleveland Clinic.SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).Bodkin JA, Dunlop BW.Moving on with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Focus. 2021;19(1):50-52. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200046Blando C, Bragdon L, Schneier FR, Liebowitz MR.Chapter 22 - Psychopharmacology of social anxiety disorder.Soc Anxiety (Third Ed). 2014:625-659. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-394427-6.00022-4Cleveland Clinic.Do beta-blockers work for anxiety?Safarudin F, Iloabuchi CO, Ladani A, Sambamoorthi U.The association of beta-blocker use to cognitive impairment among adults with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases in the United States.Chronic Pain Manag. 2020;4:125. doi:10.29011/2576-957x.100025Nielsen S.Benzodiazepines.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2017;34:141-159. doi:10.1007/7854_2015_425Brett J, Murnion B.Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.Aust Prescr. 2015;38(5):152-155. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.055Tanguay Bernard MM, Luc M, Carrier JD, et al.Patterns of benzodiazepines use in primary care adults with anxiety disorders.Heliyon. 2018;4:e00688. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00688Melaragno AJ.Pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders: From first-line options to treatment resistance.Focus. 2021;19(2):145-160. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200048Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584Caldiroli A, Capuzzi E, Tagliabue I, Ledda L, Clerici M, Buoli M.New frontiers in the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder in adults: an up-to-date comprehensive overview.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2023;24(2):207-219. doi:10.1080/14656566.2022.2159373Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dial Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowNordahl HM, Vogel PA, Morken G, Stiles TC, Sandvik P, Wells A.Paroxetine, Cognitive Therapy or Their Combination in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder with and without Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Psychother Psychosom. 2016;85(6):346-356. doi:10.1159/000447013Nagata T, Suzuki F, Teo AR.Generalized social anxiety disorder: A still-neglected anxiety disorder 3 decades since Liebowitz’s review.Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;69(12):724-740. doi:10.1111/pcn.12327Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The efficacy of imagery rescripting compared to cognitive restructuring for social anxiety disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;40:18-28. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.03.009Fung K.Acceptance and commitment therapy: Western adoption of Buddhist tenets?Transcult Psychiatry. 2015;52(4):561-76. doi:10.1177/1363461514537544Leichsenring F, Salzer S, Beutel M, et al.Long-term outcome of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in social anxiety disorder.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(10):1074-1082. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13111514Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Complem Integrat Med. 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043Atezaz Saeed S, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: Benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness.Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045Cleveland Clinic.SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).Bodkin JA, Dunlop BW.Moving on with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Focus. 2021;19(1):50-52. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200046Blando C, Bragdon L, Schneier FR, Liebowitz MR.Chapter 22 - Psychopharmacology of social anxiety disorder.Soc Anxiety (Third Ed). 2014:625-659. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-394427-6.00022-4Cleveland Clinic.Do beta-blockers work for anxiety?Safarudin F, Iloabuchi CO, Ladani A, Sambamoorthi U.The association of beta-blocker use to cognitive impairment among adults with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases in the United States.Chronic Pain Manag. 2020;4:125. doi:10.29011/2576-957x.100025Nielsen S.Benzodiazepines.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2017;34:141-159. doi:10.1007/7854_2015_425Brett J, Murnion B.Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.Aust Prescr. 2015;38(5):152-155. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.055Tanguay Bernard MM, Luc M, Carrier JD, et al.Patterns of benzodiazepines use in primary care adults with anxiety disorders.Heliyon. 2018;4:e00688. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00688Melaragno AJ.Pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders: From first-line options to treatment resistance.Focus. 2021;19(2):145-160. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200048Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584Caldiroli A, Capuzzi E, Tagliabue I, Ledda L, Clerici M, Buoli M.New frontiers in the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder in adults: an up-to-date comprehensive overview.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2023;24(2):207-219. doi:10.1080/14656566.2022.2159373Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dial Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelowNordahl HM, Vogel PA, Morken G, Stiles TC, Sandvik P, Wells A.Paroxetine, Cognitive Therapy or Their Combination in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder with and without Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Psychother Psychosom. 2016;85(6):346-356. doi:10.1159/000447013Nagata T, Suzuki F, Teo AR.Generalized social anxiety disorder: A still-neglected anxiety disorder 3 decades since Liebowitz’s review.Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;69(12):724-740. doi:10.1111/pcn.12327Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The efficacy of imagery rescripting compared to cognitive restructuring for social anxiety disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;40:18-28. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.03.009Fung K.Acceptance and commitment therapy: Western adoption of Buddhist tenets?Transcult Psychiatry. 2015;52(4):561-76. doi:10.1177/1363461514537544Leichsenring F, Salzer S, Beutel M, et al.Long-term outcome of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in social anxiety disorder.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(10):1074-1082. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13111514Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Complem Integrat Med. 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043Atezaz Saeed S, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: Benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627

National Institute of Mental Health.Social anxiety disorder: More than just shyness.

Williams T, Hattingh CJ, Kariuki CM, et al.Pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder (SAnD).Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017;10:CD001206. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001206.pub3

Mayo-Wilson E, Dias S, Mavranezouli I, et al.Psychological and pharmacological interventions for social anxiety disorder in adults: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.The Lancet Psychiatry. 2014;1(5):368-376. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(14)70329-3

Renoir T.Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressant treatment discontinuation syndrome: a review of the clinical evidence and the possible mechanisms involved.Front Pharmacol. 2013;4:45. doi:10.3389/fphar.2013.00045

Cleveland Clinic.SNRIs (serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

Bodkin JA, Dunlop BW.Moving on with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.Focus. 2021;19(1):50-52. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200046

Blando C, Bragdon L, Schneier FR, Liebowitz MR.Chapter 22 - Psychopharmacology of social anxiety disorder.Soc Anxiety (Third Ed). 2014:625-659. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-394427-6.00022-4

Cleveland Clinic.Do beta-blockers work for anxiety?

Safarudin F, Iloabuchi CO, Ladani A, Sambamoorthi U.The association of beta-blocker use to cognitive impairment among adults with hypertension or cardiovascular diseases in the United States.Chronic Pain Manag. 2020;4:125. doi:10.29011/2576-957x.100025

Nielsen S.Benzodiazepines.Curr Top Behav Neurosci. 2017;34:141-159. doi:10.1007/7854_2015_425

Brett J, Murnion B.Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence.Aust Prescr. 2015;38(5):152-155. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2015.055

Tanguay Bernard MM, Luc M, Carrier JD, et al.Patterns of benzodiazepines use in primary care adults with anxiety disorders.Heliyon. 2018;4:e00688. doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00688

Melaragno AJ.Pharmacotherapy for anxiety disorders: From first-line options to treatment resistance.Focus. 2021;19(2):145-160. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20200048

Garakani A, Murrough JW, Freire RC, et al.Pharmacotherapy of anxiety disorders: Current and emerging treatment options.Front Psychiatry. 2020;11:595584. doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.595584

Caldiroli A, Capuzzi E, Tagliabue I, Ledda L, Clerici M, Buoli M.New frontiers in the pharmacological treatment of social anxiety disorder in adults: an up-to-date comprehensive overview.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2023;24(2):207-219. doi:10.1080/14656566.2022.2159373

Bandelow B, Michaelis S, Wedekind D.Treatment of anxiety disorders.Dial Clin Neurosci. 2017;19(2):93-107. doi:10.31887/DCNS.2017.19.2/bbandelow

Nordahl HM, Vogel PA, Morken G, Stiles TC, Sandvik P, Wells A.Paroxetine, Cognitive Therapy or Their Combination in the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder with and without Avoidant Personality Disorder: A Randomized Clinical Trial.Psychother Psychosom. 2016;85(6):346-356. doi:10.1159/000447013

Nagata T, Suzuki F, Teo AR.Generalized social anxiety disorder: A still-neglected anxiety disorder 3 decades since Liebowitz’s review.Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2015;69(12):724-740. doi:10.1111/pcn.12327

Norton AR, Abbott MJ.The efficacy of imagery rescripting compared to cognitive restructuring for social anxiety disorder.J Anxiety Disord. 2016;40:18-28. doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2016.03.009

Fung K.Acceptance and commitment therapy: Western adoption of Buddhist tenets?Transcult Psychiatry. 2015;52(4):561-76. doi:10.1177/1363461514537544

Leichsenring F, Salzer S, Beutel M, et al.Long-term outcome of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy in social anxiety disorder.Am J Psychiatry. 2014;171(10):1074-1082. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2014.13111514

Rapaport MH, Schettler PJ, Larson ER, et al.Massage therapy for psychiatric disorders.Complem Integrat Med. 2018;16(1):24-31. doi:10.1176/appi.focus.20170043

Atezaz Saeed S, Cunningham K, Bloch RM.Depression and anxiety disorders: Benefits of exercise, yoga, and meditation.Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(10):620-627

Meet Our Review Board

Share Feedback

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

What is your feedback?HelpfulReport an ErrorOtherSubmit

What is your feedback?