Normally, we feel nervous in certain social situations, but if it persists every day, it could be a social anxiety disorder (SAD). Also called social phobia, SAD can cause extreme self-consciousness and excessive fear or worry about social situations.
In SAD, fear and anxiety lead to avoidance that could affect your life. It can be a chronic mental health condition, but with psychotherapy and oral medications, you can gain confidence and improve your ability to socialize.
Generic Drugs for Social Anxiety
SAD can be a severe, ongoing mental health issue so mental health professionals may prescribe oral medicines. There are several types of drugs for social anxiety disorder. Your doctor can help you determine which drug(s) might be right for you. Generic drugs for social anxiety include:
Anxiolytics
Also called anti-anxiety medications, anxiolytics are often prescribed for people with social anxiety. These drugs tend to work quickly, but most of them are habit-forming or have a sedative effect so doctors may not prescribe them for the long term. Some of the anxiolytics belonging to the class of drugs called benzodiazepines include:
- Diazepam (Generic Valium)
- Lorazepam (Generic Ativan)
- Clonazepam (Generic Klonopin)
- Alprazolam (Generic Xanax)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs, which are predominantly advised for depression, are found to be effective when it comes to curbing social anxiety. Low levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, have been associated with anxiety and depression. These drugs improve serotonin secretion. SSRIs for social anxiety include:
- Paroxetine (Generic Paxil)
- Sertraline (Generic Zoloft)
Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs)
If SSRIs fail to improve social anxiety, doctors may advise another type of antidepressant such as SNRIs. Like serotonin, norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter. And low levels of norepinephrine are also associated with anxiety and depression. Common SNRIs advised for special anxiety are:
- Duloxetine (Generic Cymbalta)
- Venlafaxine (Generic Effexor)
- Levomilnacipran (Generic Fetzima)
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
MAOIs are another type of antidepressant advised when your social anxiety is so severe that you experience a panic attack. These drugs can also prevent panic attacks. MAOIs work with certain brain chemicals to stop monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that removes neurotransmitters such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine from the brain. Popular MAOIs for social anxiety include:
- Phenelzine (Generic Nardil)
- Tranylcypromine (Generic Parnate)
Beta-Blockers
Often used for hypertension (high blood pressure), beta-blockers are sometimes prescribed to treat the physical symptoms of SAD, such as increased heart rate, palpitations, perspiration, or tremors. These drugs block the stimulating effects of adrenaline. Beta-blockers for social anxiety may include:
- Propranolol (Generic Inderal)
- Atenolol (Generic Tenormin)
The abovementioned drugs are effective at treating social anxiety, but they are prescribed along with non-pharmacological therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, cognitive restructuring, or social skills training.
