CBT Best Treatment for Social Anxiety

Up to 13 percent of Americans suffer from social anxiety, a condition that consists of more than mere shyness.  Social anxiety comes with numerous physiological, cognitive, and behavioral components that can severely impact daily life.  Social anxiety can contribute to impairment at work, such as not being able to give presentations or speak in meetings.  Social anxiety can impair the ability to maintain friendships, leading to isolation and loneliness.  Social anxiety can be debilitating.  The good news is that social anxiety is treatable. 

A recent meta analysis of 101 clinical treatment trials demonstrates that talk therapy, specifically cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), is superior to medications in the treatment of social anxiety.   CBT is an active, goal oriented therapy, which provides people the tools they need to manage their moods, thoughts, and behaviors.  An additional benefit of CBT is that effects last long after treatment has ended, whereas medication benefits cease once medication is stopped.  In CBT, people learn how to stop avoiding social situations and how to feel more comfortable in social settings.

CBT is effective, long-lasting, and superior to medications in treating social anxiety.  You can read more about the findings here.

Liza Guequierre, Ph.D.