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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.

This article is an excerpt from the new downloadable book by Royane Real titled "Your Guide to Finding Friends, Making Friends, and Keeping Friends" available at http://www.royanereal.com