Treatment for Social Phobia - Overcoming and Thriving

Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, is a mental health disorder that causes intense fear and anxiety in social situations. If left untreated, this fear can escalate, as it tends to lead to social avoidance and the narrowing of one’s social circles.  This disorder tends to compound on itself as a person reinforces their own social difficulties through isolation. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available to help you manage your social phobia. 

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP)

Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is the most effective treatment for social anxiety. ERP is based on the principle of gradually exposing oneself to the situations that cause fear and anxiety and then learning how to respond in a different way than usual. ERP helps people face their fears and challenges head-on in a safe, controlled setting. Through ERP, individuals can learn to become more comfortable with various social situations, develop better coping strategies, and ultimately reduce their overall level of distress. 

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) 

CBT is an effective treatment for social phobia. CBT focuses on identifying and changing the distorted thinking patterns that can lead to fearful behaviors. During CBT sessions, you will learn how to recognize the thoughts that trigger your anxiety and replace them with more realistic thoughts. You will also be taught relaxation techniques and strategies for dealing with stressful situations. Through these techniques, you can learn to manage your symptoms when anticipating a social setting, experiencing one, or overthinking the social situation after it happens.  When these three potential anxiety spirals are addressed through CBT, you can gain greater control over your emotions.

 Medication 

In some cases, medications can be used in combination with cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat social phobia. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed medications for treating this condition; they help regulate serotonin levels in the brain which can reduce feelings of fear or anxiety in social situations. Your doctor may also recommend other medications such as benzodiazepines or beta-blockers which can help reduce physical symptoms such as rapid heart rate or sweating during anxious moments. 

Group Therapy 

Group therapy is another form of treatment that has been found to be highly beneficial for those living with social phobia. During group therapy sessions, you will have the opportunity to share your experiences about living with social phobia with others who understand what you are going through on a personal level. Group members serve as support systems for one another by providing feedback and advice on how best to cope with their fears in different scenarios. Group therapy is also beneficial because it provides an opportunity for individuals to practice skills such as problem solving or communication outside of the therapist’s office setting, which can further help build confidence when interacting with others socially.                     

Living with social phobia can be challenging but is highly treatable you are willing.  With proper care and support from trained professionals, you may quickly begin to feel more confident and secure in your daily interactions and relationships.  

Reach out to Kairos Wellness Collective if you think you may suffer from social phobia, for help determining what kind of treatment options are best suited for your individual needs!