Treatment of social phobia
Studies have shown that the most effective is a combination of pharmacological treatment with behavioral therapy.
Medication
There are drugs used to treat depression (antidepressants). A certain class of antidepressants known as reversible inhibitors of MAO. They are effective in social phobia, particularly in cases of social anxiety. Physical symptoms of stress can be reduced by the use of beta - blockers (propranolol or atenolol). They are often prescribed in cases of fear of such physical symptoms such as tremor, with a statement at the meeting. The chances of achieving sustainable benefits from the use of antidepressants increased when combined with behavioral medicine treatments. In cases of general anxiety disorder, a combination of pharmacological treatment with behavioral therapy provides the best results.
Behavioral therapy
Behavioral therapy is a form of psychotherapy, which focuses on lasting reduction of symptoms. Initially, therapy should be determined so that is the cause of these symptoms, and that supports them. Treatment is chosen according to certain plans. Specialist behavioral therapy selects methods and techniques, whose effectiveness has been proven to work with these symptoms. During the time between visits to the therapist, patients do homework, gradually, step by step, is complicated.
In behavioral therapy social phobia emit three important provisions:
A. Working with worrisome thoughts.
B. The development of social skills.
C. Overcoming alienation.
These three positions can be combined as well, and use independently of each other.
A. Working with worrisome thoughts.
It is also known as cognitive therapy (learning = thinking). The first step - it is tracking the negative thoughts (like "I am sure that I receive the creeps" or "They think I sickener" or "That would be terrible if I gave him no ponravlyus).
These thoughts are tracked to determine their conformity with the reality. If possible, they are transformed into a more realistic and often become positive.
B. Acquisition of social skills.
It was shown that the majority suffering from social phobia anxiety due to lack of certain social skills. Higher risk of being understood when people can not start a conversation or to refuse to respond to the request. Acquisition of social skills are usually conducted in a group, where the example of role-playing games are simulated, discussed and played the different social situations.
C. Overcoming alienation.
Behavioral therapy can not be successful until you overcome alienation. Highly effective in this regard "exercises to disclosure." Especially in those situations that provoke anxiety. Usually begins with simple situations and gradually their complicated. Patients, for example, can go to the party, to return the defective product to the store or to visit the cafe. And for the next situation, he approached with a great sense of self-confidence.
Another key element in behavioral treatment of phobias and anxiety is the use of exercises on relaxation. This reduces the physical stress, makes the performance of other exercises less difficult.
An important point in all three of the behavioral therapy is the patient taking responsibility for their implementation. In doing so, he must maintain Workbook, read it and make the appropriate conclusions. Thus, it will focus on overcoming the negative aspects. This can lead to periods of despondency, and even to reinforce negative symptoms. However, this takes place with the advent of the first positive results of treatment.
Also, the patient had to perform the exercises, which at first are excitement and anxiety. It takes a lot of power and energy. But, the more energy it takes to perform the exercises, the more benefit from them. A lot of people by analyzing their past, trying to find the causes of social phobia. However, studies have shown that energy and effort is better to invest in the implementation of practical exercises. Is well known that, as opposed to treatment, based on conversations about the past, the patient behavioral therapy is a more positive outcome.