If you suffer from severe social anxiety, it can be debilitating, impacting various aspects of your life. Fortunately, several evidence-based treatments and complementary therapies are available that can effectively help you manage your symptoms and regain control.
At Palo Alto Mind Body, Dr. M Rameen Ghorieshi and our team are anxiety specialists who offer several comprehensive approaches to treat severe social anxiety.
Here’s what we offer:
Psychotherapy, specifically cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), is a widely recognized and effective treatment for social anxiety. CBT helps you identify and challenge negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors associated with social anxiety.
By replacing them with more realistic and positive ones, you can learn new coping strategies and gradually expose yourself to anxiety-provoking situations, which can reduce anxiety over time.
Other forms of therapy, such as acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), can also be beneficial in helping you accept your anxiety and work toward living a meaningful life.
In some cases, medication may be prescribed to manage severe social anxiety. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are commonly prescribed antidepressants that can help reduce your anxiety symptoms.
These medications work by balancing neurotransmitter levels in your brain. After a thorough evaluation, we can determine the most appropriate medication and dosage for your specific needs.
IV ketamine infusion has shown promising results in the treatment of severe social anxiety. It’s a dissociative anesthetic that acts on glutamate receptors in your brain.
Research suggests that ketamine can rapidly reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms, offering relief for individuals with treatment-resistant social anxiety.
Though IV ketamine treatments are to be administered under the direct supervision of a medical doctor, we recommend treatment at our practice where we’re trained psychiatrists and mental health experts.
Few people realize the link between nutrition and mental health, but a balanced diet can play a significant role in managing your social anxiety.
Certain nutrients, such as B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and magnesium, have been linked to improved mental health. Your diet should include these essential nutrients, in addition to supplementation if needed.
Though nutritional changes alone may not completely alleviate your severe social anxiety, they can contribute to overall well-being and complement other treatments.
Managing severe social anxiety requires patience, perseverance, and self-compassion. It’s a journey, and your progress may be gradual. With time and consistent effort, you can live a fulfilling life beyond the grip of social anxiety.
To learn more, call our friendly office staff at 650-681-2900, or click online to book an appointment at one of our offices in the surrounding Bay area in South Bay, North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula, or San Francisco, California.
