Therapy
The most important approach in the therapy of social phobia is also here the so-called behavior therapy. The therapeutic approach is a very practical one. In various exercises, the patient is guided to the difficult situations.
This can be done either by imagining a “dangerous” situation together with the therapist and experiencing it in the mind (therapy in sensu), or by exposing oneself to the situation “live and in color”. (therapy in vivo). The aim of “in vivo” therapy in particular is that the more often the patient exposes himself to a situation that causes him anxiety, the less anxiety he feels.
If necessary, the treatment is supplemented by so-called “social competence training”. Here, the patient learns to act competently, i.e. self-confidently (e.g. how to say “NO”, how to change a shirt, how to start and maintain a conversation, etc.)
in role-play alone or in a group in difficult social situations. If the social phobia is accompanied by pronounced physical anxiety symptoms to a high degree, the mediation and application of relaxation training is also recommended. In severe cases of social phobia, treatment with medication is also advisable.
Here, similar to other anxiety disorders, an antidepressant is used. Two groups in particular should be mentioned here. 1. the so-called SSRI and 2. the mono-amino-oxidase inhibitors, also called MAO-inhibitors.
(see also Therapy of depression). Benzodiazepines may also be useful in the treatment of social phobia. However, since the risk of dependence is again very high, they should only be used by competent specialists and only for a short time (max. 2-3 weeks). (see also Therapy of generalized anxiety disorder).We are supported by: Alcohol Forum