What medication is best for social anxiety?

Good question. The treatment of phobias may include a variety of medications in different classes. First let me explain phobias. Phobias are basically "exaggerated worries or fears" that are classified under the category of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders, when extreme, can be very difficult to cope with, requring multiple forms of treatment including psychotherapy and medication management. The first line of choice for anxiety disorders is some antidepressant medications such as Celexa, Paxil, or Prozac. These drugs are known ad New Generation or SSRI (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors). They have very few side effects and appear to be the most efficacious for anxiety cases. However, in extreme cases where anxiety does not respond to first choice medications, anti-anxiety medications (such as Buspar) or anti-psychotic medications (such as Zyprexa) may be used.

The type of anxiety or phobia you struggle with, the severity of the anxiety, your coping skills, and the doctor you see, all affect the type of drugs you will be tested on. I often recommend patients ask their doctors for a low dose antidepressant or anti-anxiety medication and then adjust their diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule. A combination of medication and lifestyle change make a world of difference.