Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

Social Isolation Model: A Noninvasive Rodent Model of Stress and Anxiety
Published on: November 11, 2022
Non-Antidepressant Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder: A Review
Athar Halaby, Ramzi Haddad, Wadih Naja1
1Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Mount Lebanon Hospital, Lebanon.
Abstract:
Social anxiety disorder is a debilitating mental illness with eventually serious comorbidities such as major depression and alcohol or substance abuse and dependence. Those comorbidities are much more common when social phobia is left neglected and untreated. It is characterized by excessive fears to one or most social situations (circumscribed versus generalized type). Social phobia has its onset typically in childhood or early adolescence and it is associated with significant functional impairment. Although cognitive behavioral therapy and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are considered the mainstay treatment of this disorder, other psychotropic agents can be of value in the management of this condition. This review discusses the efficacy of beta-bockers, benzodiazepines, anticonvulsants, D-cycloserine, buspirone and atypical antipsychotics in the treatment of social anxiety disorder.
Related Concept Videos
Social Anxiety Disorder
Anxiolytic Drugs: Overview
Primary Types of Anxiolytic Drugs
1. Benzodiazepines:
Benzodiazepines bind to the GABA-A receptor in the brain, enhancing GABA's interaction. This action reduces neurotransmission, effectively blocking anxiety-associated limbic circuitry.
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Anxiety: Overview
Individuals with anxiety often experience a range of physical and emotional symptoms, including sweating, trembling, tachycardia, and disturbances in sleep patterns. These symptoms vary in intensity and frequency but are generally disruptive and distressing.
Anxiolytic Drugs: Benzodiazepines and Buspirone
Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.