Getting Clear on SSRIs and the Treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder
People interested in researching the subject of social anxiety and SSRI medications used to treat it have much more information available than sufferers just a couple of decades ago. The internet provides information from world renown physicians, at your fingertips. What follows is an overview to provide a general understanding of this topic. Generally speaking, there is a sense of agreement in defining or characterizing social anxiety disorder. It is a fairly common psychiatric illness that imposes persistent impairment and disabilities on the afflicted. Social performance situations are extremely challenging, and often avoided. Onset often commences for many between the ages of 14 and 16 years, and, left untreated, can ultimately interfere with occupational and/or social functioning, leading to significant disability. One of the real challenges when it comes to going to the web as we've described has to do with the sources generating the material. It is best to weigh all available sources including a trusted physician that can be a great source to ask about the information found online.
Where do they come from?Many of the online articles discuss SSRIs, or, in long-hand, Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. Social anxiety and SSRIs are indelibly linked, and have been for a number of years, as the medical and pharmacology worlds have developed treatment for the disorder. Some of the drug companies want the public to believe their particular product is custom made for treating social anxiety, and some will even go so far as to indicate their drug is all that is needed to overcome the problem. Fortunately, many websites, articles, and studies suggesting this is not the case. SSRIs get right down to the most minute elements of social anxiety - to the thought processes of fear in/about social interactions. By allowing the neurotransmitters called serotonin to dwell in the synaptic gap between nerve cells a little longer than usual, more consistent thought patterns can develop. This can alleviate unreasonable fears. And yet, as specific as SSRIs are able to function, most of the psychiatric world agrees that a particular drug is most likely not going to be the sole form of treatment. Indeed, there is widespread agreement that SSRIs should be utilized as part of a treatment program that includes some form of Cognitive Behavior Treatment. This means a healthcare professional will counsel you on how to change your behaviors by evaluating your results and actions. A number of sources also suggest that monotherapy (the treatment of a disorder with a single drug) is not nearly as effective as polypharmacy (treatment using more than one drug). Furthermore, most patients who suffer from Social Anxiety Disorder also suffer from comorbid conditions such as depression, panic disorder, general anxiety, or obsessive compulsive disorder.
Multiple Anxieties May Benefit MostGuidance of a mental health professional who knows you and your situation well is still the most reliable method for mental health. However, the strongest link between SSRIs and social anxiety disorders may be for a very specific group. Studies and research indicate SSRIs work best for patients that are challenged by more than one anxiety-type disorder. Dedication to researching the information on treatment for a medical condition is a great start but make sure to be aware of the source behind the material. Also, commit to working closely with a doctor, and be open to trying many different treatment options in pursuit of the best course of action for your particular situation. Social anxiety and SSRI medications may require multiple approaches to be successful. | |||||
