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Social phobia

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Alternative Names:

Phobia - social

Treatment:

The goal of treatment is to help the person function effectively. The success of the treatment usually depends on the severity of the phobia.

Systematic desensitization is a technique used to treat phobias. The person is asked to relax, then imagine the components of the phobia, working from the least fearful to the most fearful. Graded real-life exposure has also been used with success to help people overcome their fears.

Social skills training may involve social contact in a group therapy situation to practice social skills. Role playing and modeling are techniques used to help the person gain comfort in relating to others in a social situation.

Anti-anxiety and anti-depressive medications are sometimes used to help relieve the symptoms associated with phobias.

Expectations (prognosis):

The outcome is generally good with treatment, and antidepressant medications have been shown to be very effective.

Complications:

• Alcohol use to combat anxiety
• Alcohol or other drug dependence
• Loneliness and social isolation

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider or mental health professional if fear is affecting your work and relationships with others.

• Review Date: 11/15/2006
• Reviewed By: Paul Ballas, D.O., Department of Psychiatry, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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