Mirtazapine in social anxiety disorder: a pilot study

Fourteen patients with social anxiety disorder (generalized type), according to DSM-IV criteria, were treated with mirtazapine 30 mg for 12 weeks. Twelve patients completed the study. Two patients (14.3%) dropped out due to side-effects. Generally, mirtazapine was well tolerated. Five out of 12 patients (41.7%) were classified as responders, based on a Clinical Global Improvement score of 1 or 2 and a reduction of the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) of 40%. The mean total score on the LSAS, as well as the anxiety and avoidance subscores, decreased significantly. This open pilot study suggests that further investigations are warranted to prove the efficacy of mirtazapine in generalized social anxiety disorder.