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There are many different types of medications that can be used to treat social anxiety. The problem is that medication does not cure social anxiety. It simply makes social anxiety more manageable. In many cases, the use of medication masks issues that would be better addressed and eliminated. However, if medication is being used while the issues surrounding social anxiety are being addressed and dealt with, then medication does serve a purpose in treating social anxiety.

In the past, social anxiety was treated mainly with beta blockers, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI's), Benzodiazapines, tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), and azaspirones. In more recent years, physicians have started prescribing mild antidepressants, such as Paxil and Zoloft, which are not addictive, and have proven to be quite effective.

Beta blockers are commonly prescribed for heart conditions, but they have also been found useful in the treatment of performance anxiety. Beta blockers control rapid heartbeat, shaking, trembling, and blushing. The two most common beta blockers are Propanadol and Atenolol.

Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, commonly called MAOI's, are actually antidepressants that are prescribed for the treatment of depression. It is used in the treatment of social anxiety, by treating the symptoms that are associated with both depression and social anxiety. However, MAOI's are not necessarily safe drugs to take, and a strict diet must be followed.

Benzodiazapines are used to slow down the central nervous system. They are also used as muscle relaxers to treat muscle spasms. They are also used as injections to relieve anxiety and reduce memory before a medical procedure. Since it affects memory in strong doses, it probably isn't one of the best medications to take when you are trying to treat social anxiety, since the purpose would be to use the medication to alleviate symptoms while working on controlling anxiety in other ways.

Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCA) are used in the treatment of severe depression, or depression with anxiety. They are also used to treat obsessional disorders and panic attacks. It is not recommended for long term treatment, and research has actually seen very little success with this type of medication in the treatment of social anxiety.

Azaspirones increase the activity of serotonin in the brain. They are prescribed for the treatment of general anxiety disorder (GAD), as well as social anxiety disorder. They work very slowly, and are not recommended for long term use.

Antidepressants such as Paxil and Zoloft are probably the best medications to use in the treatment of social anxiety. These medications also control the serotonin that is produced by the brain, and the medication is available in controlled release tablets, which keeps the medication working throughout the day, without leaving the patient feeling drugged. These medications make it quite easy to control the symptoms of social anxiety, while working towards dealing with the issues without the medication. These medications are safe, and non-addictive, which means that they are safe to take for long periods of time, but long term use is not recommended in the treatment of social anxiety, because the patient may start depending on the medication instead of learning how to confront the issues.