Social Anxiety Treatment

Social anxiety disorder or social phobia is a mental health condition that causes intense anxiety and fear when presented with social situations. You may feel scared, worried, embarrassed, paranoid or anxious. Social anxiety disorder can cause mental, behavioral and physical symptoms and lead to avoidance of necessary social interactions. Treatment for social anxiety disorder includes lifestyle changes, therapy, medications or a combination of these factors to make the condition manageable.

Lifestyle Changes

• Lifestyle changes can help you cope with social anxiety disorder and make the rest of the treatment process easier and more beneficial. Limit your caffeine intake. Caffeine is a stimulant and can increase anxiety. Avoid coffee, tea, soda and chocolate as much as possible, especially before social interactions. Smoking also acts as a stimulant and increases anxiety. Quitting smoking may help reduce your social anxiety symptoms. Avoid alcohol, even though you may think it will help calm your nerves. Get plenty of sleep, so you are well-rested and alert in social situations. Practice social interactions such as eating, greeting or holding a conversation with a trusted friend or family member, so you feel more comfortable in real situations.

Psychotherapy

• According to the Mayo Clinic, cognitive behavioral therapy helps up to 75 percent of people with social anxiety disorder. Cognitive behavioral therapy with an experienced therapist will help you learn how to control your own thoughts, even in undesirable situations. By learning to think positively in difficult social situations, you can lessen feelings of anxiety and fear. Your therapist may role-play with you to practice uncomfortable social situations and gradually work with you by exposing you to increasingly difficult situations. Relaxation techniques, such as meditation and deep breathing, can also help lessen anxiety.

Medications

• If lifestyle changes and therapy do not make your symptoms manageable, your doctor or mental health care provider may suggest medication as another form of treatment. Prescription selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as Paxil, Zoloft, Luvox and Prozac, are usually the first choice for treating social anxiety disorder. They are generally safe, but it is important to discuss any medications you are currently taking, questions and concerns with your doctor. Report any side effects promptly. Other antidepressants may help if other medications cause unpleasant side effects. Anti-anxiety medications work quickly to reduce anxiety levels, but they can be addictive. They are usually only prescribed for short-term use. Beta blockers help block adrenaline and reduce heart rate and blood pressure. Beta blockers are helpful for some people suffering from social anxiety disorder to control symptoms in certain social situations, but they are not usually prescribed for consistent use.