By EKalman October 20, 2023 - 5:09am

Some people enjoy being in the company of others and look forward to being in large groups. However, this may not be true for those suffering from social anxiety disorder.

Interacting with others on a social level is not always easy if you have social anxiety or phobia. It can be downright terrifying.

Self-consciousness, as well as excessive worry and fear in social situations, are symptoms of social anxiety disorder. You may be afraid of being judged or humiliated in public.

Furthermore, socializing can cause bodily symptoms like sweating, shaking, high heart rate, nausea, flushing, and shortness of breath.

Social anxiety can negatively affect your interactions at school or work, but it does not have to take over your life. Treatment may help you manage the disease and be more socially comfortable.

Here are a few social anxiety disorder treatment options.

Psychotherapy
If your social anxiety is becoming too much to bear, consulting with a mental health expert is critical. Psychotherapy is a powerful treatment on its own, and it may be much more potent when paired with medicine.

You will learn strategies to change unfavorable thoughts about yourself through psychotherapy. This sort of treatment can assist you in identifying the source of your anxiety.

You'll learn how to improve your interactions in social contexts through role-playing and other tactics, which can help boost your confidence.

Teletherapy
Teletherapy, or therapy done remotely, has been demonstrated to aid persons with social anxiety disorder who may delay or avoid in-person therapy. This is typical owing to nervousness about driving to appointments and seeing someone new in person, even if their function is that of a mental health professional.

Because being in the physical presence of a therapist does not increase anxiety, having that extra space and time can actually improve outcomes for persons suffering from social anxiety.

Support groups
You might want to join a local or online social anxiety support group. You'll meet folks who understand what you're going through since they have the same problem.

Support groups are an excellent way to remind yourself that you are not alone in dealing with this form of fear. Many people experience anxiety and worry in social situations and conversations.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are frequently used as first-line therapy for social anxiety and depression.

These drugs, which include paroxetine (Paxil) and sertraline (Zoloft), boost serotonin levels in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, a chemical that aids in the transmission of messages throughout the body. Serotonin deficiency has been linked to depression and anxiety.

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)
If an SSRI does not alleviate your social anxiety, your doctor may prescribe another type of antidepressant.

This may be an SNRI such as:
- duloxetine (Cymbalta)
- venlafaxine (Effexor XR)
- levomilnacipran (Fetzima)

These medications also signal changes in brain chemistry to help improve mood and anxiety.
Antidepressants that are effective in one individual may not be effective in another. As a result, your doctor may need to prescribe different drugs until you find one that works for your specific symptoms.

Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are typically used to treat high blood pressure, but they are also used to treat physical signs of anxiety such as racing heart, perspiration, or tremors.

These drugs, such as propranolol (Inderal) and atenolol (Tenormin), inhibit the stimulating effects of adrenaline. Beta-blockers can help with performance anxiety, a sort of social anxiety.

Anti-anxiety medication
Anti-anxiety drugs are also used to treat social anxiety. Among these drugs are:
- diazepam (Valium)
- lorazepam (Ativan)
- clonazepam (Klonopin)
- alprazolam (Xanax)

These drugs have a fast effect, although they might be habit-forming or sedative. As a result, your doctor may not prescribe an anti-anxiety drug long-term.

Anxiety drugs should not be used as the primary line of treatment for anxiety disorders. However, doctors are aware that some people will not respond satisfactorily to other methods of treatment.

The decision to use these medications must be made after consulting with your doctor and considering the potential benefits against the risk of dependence.