Social anxiety disorder , treatment strategies

Buspirone. Although initial open label results were promising, a controlled study of buspirone, approved by the FDA for treatment of GAD, failed to demonstrate any effectiveness in the treatment of social anxiety disorder. However, a subsequent controlled study indicated that buspirone administered at 30-60 mg/day is an effective augmentation strategy for patients with social anxiety disorder who have only experienced a partial response to SSRI therapy. 

Specific Sociai Anxiety Disorder, Acute Phase Treatment. Different strategies have evolved for treating specific social anxiety disorder versus generalized social anxiety disorder. Less complicated is the management of the specific subtype. Exposure-based psychotherapy is a mainstay of treatment, and as-needed medication doses prior to scheduled performances are also widely used. Preferred agents for performance anxiety are alprazolam or propranolol. 

Pollack MH. Social anxiety disorder Designing a pharmacologic treatment strategy. J Clin Psychiatry 1999 60(Suppl 9) 20-26. 

This chapter presents an overview of the knowledge and skills necessary to treat clients with anxiety disorders, and it encourages social workers to seek additional information on these disorders and their treatments. Given the rapidly changing health and mental health practice environments, social workers must stay abreast of new trends and therapeutic strategies in the mental health field. 

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