Which treatment is considered first-line for Social Anxiety Disorder?

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the first-line treatment for Social Anxiety Disorder due to its evidence-based effectiveness in addressing the specific cognitive and behavioral patterns associated with the disorder. CBT focuses on helping individuals identify and challenge negative thoughts and beliefs about social situations, teach coping skills, and gradually expose them to feared social scenarios in a structured way. This therapeutic approach not only helps reduce anxiety symptoms but also empowers individuals to manage their anxiety in real-life situations more effectively over time.

While medication may be beneficial for some individuals with social anxiety—such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)—it is typically recommended to be used in conjunction with therapy rather than as a standalone treatment. Supportive psychotherapy can be helpful for emotional support but does not specifically target the maladaptive thoughts and behaviors typical in social anxiety. Hypnotherapy lacks substantial empirical support compared to CBT and is not widely recognized as a primary treatment for this specific anxiety disorder. Therefore, CBT stands out as the most effective first-line intervention for Social Anxiety Disorder.