Individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD), also known as social phobia, often avoid social and performance situations due to a fear of evaluation by others. SAD is associated with significant impairment in social, occupational, and educational functioning and is highly prevalent in the population (approximately 6.8% of, or 15 million, U.S. adults will meet the criteria for this diagnosis in a 12-month period). Consequently, a number of psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacological treatments have been developed for SAD. This entry surveys various psychotherapies for SAD, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), mindfulness and acceptance-based therapies, and interpersonal and psychodynamic therapies. In addition, this entry covers medication treatments for SAD, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), benzodiazepines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), and others.

Overall, CBT and ...