Social anxiety medication is used to treat social anxiety disorder and social phobia.
These disorders are caused by irrational fears people have in social situations.
They fear being watched or judged and have difficulty socializing in many in situations they do not feel safe.
This can be a disabling disorder.
It often begins in adolescence when social acceptance becomes so important for children.
It can occur at any time in life but is usually a pattern that developed early in life.
These drugs are usually accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy to overcome their irrational beliefs.
They are either benzodiazepines, antidepressants or antipsychotics.
There are also some typical agents that are used like buspar and beta blockers.
Benzodiazepines are a class of medication that is used to treat social anxiety disorder.
They are often called anti anxiety agents and they include such drugs as Valium, Ativan, Xanax and Klonopin.
This type of social anxiety medication is fast acting and usually brings relief within a half hour.
There are side effects to these agents.
They diminish brain activity, cause drowsiness, fogginess and can interfere with everyday functions such as school, work or driving.
These drugs are to be taken on an as needed basis.
The sedating effects of these drugs can potentiate with other substances such as alcohol, pain medication or sleeping medication.
They can also become addictive.
Antidepressants are another class of social anxiety medication.
Older tricyclic antidepressant medications are sometimes used for anxiety disorders.
These include Imiprmine, Doxepin, Anafranil and Nortriptyline to name a few.
These medications can also be sedating, cause dry mouth and constipation.
They are not addictive but need to be withdrawal slowly.
Some of the newer antidepressants called SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SSNRI's (Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) are used for treatment.
The most widely one of these used has been Paxil.
Buspar is another anti anxiety medication that does not fit into any of the other categories.
Betablockers such as Inderal and clonidine are sometimes use for treatment.
Antipsychotics and major tranquilizers have also been used to treat anxiety.
The newer classes of antipsychotics have been quite successful.
Some of these include Seroquel, Zyprexa and Geodon.
These medications can also be sedating and have other side effects such as weight gain and constipation.
There are plenty of agents used to treat anxiety.
Some are better than others for social anxiety.
The fast acting less sedating ones.
This anxiety disorder is a medical condition.
It should be treated with medication and psychotherapy.
In time the medication can be withdrawn with successful treatment.
These disorders are caused by irrational fears people have in social situations.
They fear being watched or judged and have difficulty socializing in many in situations they do not feel safe.
This can be a disabling disorder.
It often begins in adolescence when social acceptance becomes so important for children.
It can occur at any time in life but is usually a pattern that developed early in life.
These drugs are usually accompanied by cognitive behavioral therapy to overcome their irrational beliefs.
They are either benzodiazepines, antidepressants or antipsychotics.
There are also some typical agents that are used like buspar and beta blockers.
Benzodiazepines are a class of medication that is used to treat social anxiety disorder.
They are often called anti anxiety agents and they include such drugs as Valium, Ativan, Xanax and Klonopin.
This type of social anxiety medication is fast acting and usually brings relief within a half hour.
There are side effects to these agents.
They diminish brain activity, cause drowsiness, fogginess and can interfere with everyday functions such as school, work or driving.
These drugs are to be taken on an as needed basis.
The sedating effects of these drugs can potentiate with other substances such as alcohol, pain medication or sleeping medication.
They can also become addictive.
Antidepressants are another class of social anxiety medication.
Older tricyclic antidepressant medications are sometimes used for anxiety disorders.
These include Imiprmine, Doxepin, Anafranil and Nortriptyline to name a few.
These medications can also be sedating, cause dry mouth and constipation.
They are not addictive but need to be withdrawal slowly.
Some of the newer antidepressants called SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and SSNRI's (Selective Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors) are used for treatment.
The most widely one of these used has been Paxil.
Buspar is another anti anxiety medication that does not fit into any of the other categories.
Betablockers such as Inderal and clonidine are sometimes use for treatment.
Antipsychotics and major tranquilizers have also been used to treat anxiety.
The newer classes of antipsychotics have been quite successful.
Some of these include Seroquel, Zyprexa and Geodon.
These medications can also be sedating and have other side effects such as weight gain and constipation.
There are plenty of agents used to treat anxiety.
Some are better than others for social anxiety.
The fast acting less sedating ones.
This anxiety disorder is a medical condition.
It should be treated with medication and psychotherapy.
In time the medication can be withdrawn with successful treatment.