Social Anxiety Treatment – What Are Your Options?

Understanding your Options – Seeking Professional Help

Treatments Available

There are a variety of approaches to treating Social Anxiety (SA). However, they basically come down to a two step approach.

Step 1 – reduce the anxiety.

Step 2 – encourage the person to engage in real life activities and, through repeated exposure to the feared situation, become comfortable in it.

Often a third step will be necessary; this is some kind of skills training.

Both Medication and Cognitive Behavior Therapy have been shown to be effective, in controlled clinical trials, for alleviating shyness and social anxiety.

Types of professional help available

The three principal kinds of professionals that you might consult for social anxiety are your family doctor, a psychiatrist or a psychologist.

Your family doctor.

Many family doctors are not familiar with social anxiety. Your family doctor is however able to prescribe medication and make a referral to a psychiatrist or a psychologist. Some family doctors do therapy, but this would be an exception. Unfortunately some family doctors are inclined to dismiss your concerns. If that is the case, don’t be put off but seek help elsewhere.

A psychiatrist.

A psychiatrist is medically trained and can use all of the treatment modalities available. In particular he or she will be able to advise you on suitable medication if you decide to go that route and monitor your progress. Some psychiatrists also specialize in psychotherapy and may offer you cognitive behavior therapy or some other kind of psychotherapy.

A psychologist.

If you see a psychologist for help you will most likely be offered Cognitive Behavior Therapy together with assistance in graduated exposure. In most jurisdictions in a psychologist cannot prescribe medications.