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What are the Different Types of Social Anxiety Therapy?

Laura M. Sands
Laura M. Sands

Social anxiety therapy typically involves individual psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, and may involve medication. At times, doctors will prescribe patients to undergo both treatments to adequately and more effectively overcome this disorder. Depending on the severity of the disorder, as well as the patient’s willingness to participate, group meetings may also be coordinated for social anxiety therapy.

The type of social anxiety therapy a patient is assigned largely depends on the extent of the person’s disorder. While some people may only experience anxiety in certain social situations, such as being asked to speak in front of a crowd, others may experience more disruptive variations of the disorder, such as fearing strangers, public places or unfamiliar surroundings. All types of social anxiety therapy begin with an in-depth assessment that explores the nature of the person’s social anxiety, as well as its origins, symptoms and triggers.

Talk therapy is usually a main part of social anxiety therapy.
Talk therapy is usually a main part of social anxiety therapy.

Once doctors have an accurate definition of a person’s disorder, an appropriate type of social anxiety therapy is recommended. Commonly, such treatment begins with talk therapy. Specifically, cognitive-behavioral therapy is employed to encourage patients to talk to a trained therapist about specific fears and emotional responses to those fears. While administering this type of social anxiety treatment, doctors are able to help patients better understand the origin of a social phobia, explore ways of controlling symptoms and clearly identify ways in which symptoms are triggered. Whether offered under the heading of panic therapy, shyness therapy or agoraphobia therapy, this type of social anxiety therapy eventually also exposes the patient to situations that cause anxiety in an attempt to help the patient cope with these situations within a controlled setting.

Extreme shyness can pose an obstacle to developing friendships and other relationships.
Extreme shyness can pose an obstacle to developing friendships and other relationships.

In more severe cases, individuals suffering from social anxiety may also be prescribed medication. Commonly, such medications include anti-depressants as well as specific anti-anxiety drugs. Patients who are prescribed medication are also recommended to continue meeting with a therapist to discuss ways of managing and coping with social anxiety.

Occasionally, doctors will recommend group meetings during the course of social anxiety therapy. Such meetings take place in a controlled setting and consist of other patients who are also working to overcome the same or similar social anxieties. Normally, this type of social anxiety therapy is introduced only after a person has undergone individual therapy and has shown a positive progression in treatment.

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    • Talk therapy is usually a main part of social anxiety therapy.
      By: emiliau
      Talk therapy is usually a main part of social anxiety therapy.
    • Extreme shyness can pose an obstacle to developing friendships and other relationships.
      By: Elenathewise
      Extreme shyness can pose an obstacle to developing friendships and other relationships.
    • Individuals suffering from extreme social anxiety may be prescribed medication.
      By: David Stuart
      Individuals suffering from extreme social anxiety may be prescribed medication.
    • All types of social anxiety therapy begin by exploring the nature of the patient's anxiety and their specific fear, such as crowds or strangers.
      By: adisa
      All types of social anxiety therapy begin by exploring the nature of the patient's anxiety and their specific fear, such as crowds or strangers.
    • Journaling may help people who are trying to overcome social anxiety.
      By: iko
      Journaling may help people who are trying to overcome social anxiety.
    • Trying to overcome social anxiety too fast can result in a relapse.
      By: gemenacom
      Trying to overcome social anxiety too fast can result in a relapse.
    • Medication may be used to treat individuals suffering from severe social anxiety.
      By: kmiragaya
      Medication may be used to treat individuals suffering from severe social anxiety.
    • Exposure to different types of social events can help people deal with anxiety issues.
      By: biker3
      Exposure to different types of social events can help people deal with anxiety issues.
    • A person with mild social anxiety may benefit from interacting with a small group of friends in a controlled setting.
      By: belahoche
      A person with mild social anxiety may benefit from interacting with a small group of friends in a controlled setting.
    • Exercise routines might be able to help someone deal with anxiety.
      By: Helder Almeida
      Exercise routines might be able to help someone deal with anxiety.