Should I See a Psychiatrist for Social Anxiety?

Social Anxiety is a common mental health condition. It is a specific type of anxiety that interferes with a person's life due to the fear of interacting with others.

The specific symptoms are:

o   Fear or anxiety about one or more social situations in which the individual is exposed to possible scrutiny by others. Examples include having a conversation, meeting unfamiliar people, eating or drinking in public, and performing in front of others.

o   The fear or anxiety is out of proportion to the actual threat posed by the social situation and to the sociocultural context.

o   The social situations are avoided or endured with intense fear or anxiety.

o   The symptoms cause significant distress or impairment in functioning.

There are two different classes of medications that are generally used to treat social anxiety disorder.* There are three specific selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are FDA-approved for treatment of social anxiety disorder. SSRIs is a class of medication that increases the amount of the neurotransmitter, serotonin, in the brain to alleviate anxiety and depression. The FDA has also approved the class of medications known as benzodiazepines to treat social anxiety disorder. Benzodiazepines are known to treat various types of anxiety, but also have a sedative effect that must be monitored closely.

Medications (FDA-approved):

·       Sertraline

·       Paroxetine

·       Venlafaxine

·       Benzodiazepines

Sometimes psychiatrists prescribe off-label medications that will still give relief to the symptoms. Prescribing a medication off-label means that the FDA has not officially approved the use of a specific medication for treatment of the disorder, but there is still research and/or expert opinion of the efficacy of the medication for treatment of the illness.

Of course, remember there are other ways to help the symptoms of social anxiety disorder in addition to medications such as talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, healthy eating, getting enough sleep and exercise.

The most important thing to remember is to work closely with a psychiatrist who listens and can work with you to meet your mental health goals.

If you would like me to be your psychiatrist, please click on the “Book Appointment” button and schedule your free, 15-minute consultation with me, Dr. Mills. 

Thanks for reading, have a great week, and remember, Mental Health is Freedom!

*I am not promoting the use of, nor am I being paid by any pharmaceutical company to promote the use of any specific medications.

Dr. Mills is the Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Freedom Psychiatry, located in California. She focuses on achieving mental wellness using medication, nutrition, and lifestyle changes.