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Social phobia: an update on treatment
Ellen C Jørstad-Stein1, Richard G Heimberg
1Adult Anxiety Clinic of Temple, Department of Psychology, Temple University, 1701 North 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6085, USA.
The Psychiatric Clinics of North America
|September 1, 2009
Summary
Social phobia, an anxiety disorder, can be effectively treated with medication, therapy, or a combination. This review examines current evidence and future directions for social phobia treatment.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Clinical Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Social phobia is a common anxiety disorder.
- It significantly impacts quality of life.
- Current treatments include pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review empirical evidence for social phobia treatments.
- To discuss novel treatment developments and mechanisms.
- To explore similarities with other disorders and future diagnostic revisions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of empirical studies.
- Analysis of pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy effectiveness.
- Examination of treatment mechanisms and comparative aspects.
Main Results:
- Pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy demonstrate efficacy.
- Combined treatments may offer enhanced benefits.
- Understanding treatment mechanisms is crucial for optimization.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports current treatment modalities for social phobia.
- Future research should focus on refining diagnostic criteria and improving treatment dissemination.
- Comparative analysis with other disorders may yield novel insights.
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