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date: 11 December 2019

Abstract and Keywords

This chapter examines how, over the past two decades, there has been a rapid emergence of pharmacological treatment options for patients with generalized social anxiety disorder (GSAD). Results of treatment and neuroimaging studies suggest the involvement of serotonin, gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA)/glutamate, and dopamine in GSAD. The literature clearly supports the use of SSRIs and the SNRI venlafaxine ER as first-line pharmacological agents in the treatment of GSAD; however, there is a paucity of data for patients who obtain a partial or nonresponse to first-line treatments as well as strategies to move GSAD individuals from response to remission. Exposure-based treatments are considered to be the gold standard treatment for specific phobias. There is a small literature on the use of pharmacological agents in specific phobias that does not support their use as the primary treatment modality.

Keywords: anxiety, anxiety treatment, pharmacotherapy, social anxiety, social phobia, treatment resistance

Michael Van Ameringen

Michael Van Ameringen, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, and the Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Medical Centre.

Catherine Mancini

Catherine Mancini, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, and Anxiety Disorders Clinic at McMaster University Medical Centre Hamilton Health Sciences Hamilton, Canada

Beth Patterson

Beth Patterson, Anxiety Disorders Clinic, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University Medical Centre

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