Treatment Options
Medication-
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors)-
-Targets serotonin neurotransmitters and blocks the re-absorption of it into the brain
-Patients start on small doses and gradually increase the dose
-Considered the safest and most effective medication option
Benzodiazapines-
-Reduces anxiety levels
-Generally only used for a short period of time because they are potentially addictive
SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors)-
-Targets serotonin neurotransmitters and blocks the re-absorption of it into the brain
-Patients start on small doses and gradually increase the dose
-Considered the safest and most effective medication option
Benzodiazapines-
-Reduces anxiety levels
-Generally only used for a short period of time because they are potentially addictive
Therapy-
Psychotherapy-
-Used to help a person see their problems more realistically and to help cope
-Uses persuasion, suggestion, reassurance, insight, and instruction
Exposure Therapy-
-Exposes the patient to an anxiety causing situation
-Helps the patient improve upon skills that would make facing a situation that scares them easier to face
-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (See table below)-
-Helps patients realize it is their own thoughts, not other people’s or the situation that creates the social anxiety that causes how they behave
-Helps the patient change negative thoughts
-Typically includes exposure therapy
Psychotherapy-
-Used to help a person see their problems more realistically and to help cope
-Uses persuasion, suggestion, reassurance, insight, and instruction
Exposure Therapy-
-Exposes the patient to an anxiety causing situation
-Helps the patient improve upon skills that would make facing a situation that scares them easier to face
-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) (See table below)-
-Helps patients realize it is their own thoughts, not other people’s or the situation that creates the social anxiety that causes how they behave
-Helps the patient change negative thoughts
-Typically includes exposure therapy