Anxiety is a normal response when we’re faced with something unknown or something we fear. But those people who suffer from social anxiety will tell you that it becomes a crippling condition that eventually prevents them from even leaving the house. When discussing the treatment for social anxiety there are generally 3 methods to consider:
Medication – Paxil, Fluoxetine, and other anti-depressants are an effective short-term treatment for social anxiety. However, these drugs are also know to have harmful side effects – headaches, insomnia, nausea and a decrease in sexual appetite, and it’s not known if they’re safe for pregnant women.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a time-limited for of psychotherapy that teaches people suffering from social anxiety how to confront their fears and use positive self-talk to counteract negative thoughts to change behavior patterns.
Combination – Some therapists choose to combine both methods using medication in the beginning to quickly reduce anxiety giving the patient a relief from some of the stress so they can focus on learning CBT techniques.
Unlike other panic attacks, social anxiety does not come and go. The patient is in a constant state of stress and anxiety. Using medication to treat the symptoms immediately, combined with CBT for long-term treatment are generally the best combination for treatment for social anxiety.
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