All phobias are a form ofanxiety disorder, so most medications address that issue.
However, these medications may also be prescribed to address co-occurring symptoms of depression or other mental health conditions.
They work by changing the level ofserotoninin the brain, which plays a role in regulating mood.
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You should alert your doctor if you begin to experience concerning side effects while taking SSRIs.
Combining these medications can lead toserotonin syndrome.
Benzodiazepines for Social Phobia
Benzodiazepines are mild tranquilizersthat can be effective against phobias by reducing associated anxiety.
Physicians prescribe this social phobia medication short-term at the lowest dosage possible.
Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include:
Side effects of low doses include:
Benzodiazepines can cause physical dependence.
This risk is higher if these medications are taken at high doses for long periods.
People can also experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking these medications suddenly, which can be potentially dangerous.
Never stop taking benzodiazepines without talking to your doctor first.
Slowly tapering your dose can minimize the risk of withdrawal complications.
Beta-Blockers for Short-term Relief
Beta-blockerswork by suppressing the effects ofepinephrine, or adrenaline, in the body.
They also block associated physical effects of high adrenaline, such as sweating and heart palpitations.
A beta-blocker your physician may prescribe is Inderal (propranolol).
Some beta-blockers provide short-term phobia relief because they slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure.
Possible side effects of beta-blockers include:
Beta-blockers also lower heart rate and blood pressure.
There are various reasons why people might choose to stop taking medication.
Phobia medications, like other medications, can be expensive.
In addition, some people do not like how certain drugs make them feel.
If you have multiple doctors, keep each one up to date.
Some phobia medications may interact with other medicines, supplements, or substances you are taking.
This can sometimes contribute to unpleasant or potentially dangerous side effects.
It can also impact how well your medications work.
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