Behavioral therapy aims to change client’s behavior using a program of positive reinforcement of desired behavior, and negative reinforcement of undesired behavior.

Both cognitive therapy and behavior therapy focus on teaching client to deal with situations and symptoms in present. Neither form of therapy delves into situations in client’s distant past. Those forms of psychotherapy that attempt to deal with shyness by delving into client’s past history have not been shown to be effective. in cognitive therapy techniques.

There are many books that can teach reader to effectively use cognitive therapy techniques for both depression and loneliness. If your case is not particularly severe, you can often learn enough from reading a book and doing recommended exercises to greatly relieve your symptoms of shyness or depression. Dr. David Burns, one of pioneers in bringing cognitive therapy to a wider audience, has written several very useful books and workbooks for general public, including “Intimate Connections” and “Feeling Good--the New Mood Therapy.” In past decade, researchers have discovered that some anti-depressant medications, particularly so-called SSRI’s (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors), can also be very helpful in treatment of extreme shyness. One of these SSRI drugs, Paxil, was first to receive American F.D.A. approval as an effective treatment for social anxiety. In fact, ads for Paxil as a treatment for social anxiety have been marketed directly to public, not just to doctors. Other anti-depressant drugs in SSRI group are also believed to help in reliving social anxiety.

Does drug treatment for shyness really work? Some very socially anxious people have tried everything that regular psychotherapy has to offer, including cognitive therapy, yet they still suffer debilitating symptoms of shyness until they try SSRI drugs. In some cases, improvement in sociability after taking SSRI drugs can be swift and profound. This class of drugs seems to help socially anxious person turn down excessive volume of their inner judgmental thoughts.

If you are shy or socially anxious, should you take a pill to make you more friendly? There are pros and cons to be considered when deciding whether or not to take a drug for social anxiety. The SSRI drugs can cause nervous agitation, insomnia, weight gain, and sexual dysfunction, as well as many other less common side effects.

Some doctors and psychologists are concerned that a normal human trait, shyness, has been declared a medical condition requiring expensive pharmaceutical intervention. Because SSRI drugs are relatively new, it is not yet known what long-term effects of this class of drugs may be. Nevertheless, SSRI drugs are very widely prescribed, particularly in North America, for depression and social anxiety.

In most locations it is easier to find a doctor who will prescribe SSRI medication to combat shyness than it is to find a counselor trained in use of therapy effective in treating shyness disorders.

The difference in shyness experienced with drug therapy can be quite astounding, but it will likely last only as long as drug is taken on a regular basis. When drug is discontinued, symptoms of shyness will likely reappear. With proper psychotherapy for shyness, positive results are likely to be long lasting.

We are each here to uncover and undertake our own unique and special purpose in life. Every person is unique and has a unique purpose in life ... and person and purpose fit together perfectly.

"Who Am I ... And Why Am I Here?" You are YOU. And YOU are here to uncover your own unique and special perfect-for-you purpose in life. And that is answer to question.

And, for those who desire to find out what their own unique and special purpose in life is, that will have to be subject of another article.