Phobias Treatment Treating Specific Phobia With Drugs By Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher Lisa Fritscher is a freelance writer and editor with a deep interest in phobias and other mental health topics. Learn about our editorial process Updated on December 01, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Mind articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and mental healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Akeem Marsh, MD Medically reviewed by Akeem Marsh, MD LinkedIn Twitter Akeem Marsh, MD, is a board-certified child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist who has dedicated his career to working with medically underserved communities. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print ronaldregidor/Getty Images Medication is more common in the treatment of social phobia and agoraphobia than for specific phobia. People with social phobia, or social anxiety disorder, feel intensely self-conscious and tend to avoid social interaction. Agoraphobics are afraid of places or situations that make them feel trapped, alone, and helpless. Specific phobia is a fear of a specific object or situation (for example, a fear of dogs or thunder). All phobias are a form of anxiety disorder, so most medications address that issue. Antidepressants (SSRIs) for Social Phobia Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, are a group of antidepressants effective for treating anxiety, social phobia, and agoraphobia. They work by changing the level of serotonin in the brain, believed to control your mood. Examples of some of the SSRIs a physician may prescribe for social anxiety disorder include: Celexa (citalopram) Zoloft (sertraline) Prozac (fluoxetine) Paxil (paroxetine) Possible side effects of SSRIs include: HeadachesNauseaSleep problems MAOIs for Social Phobia Physicians may prescribe monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), often considered a second tier treatment for social phobia. They inhibit the enzyme monoamine oxidase, which breaks down certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Commonly prescribed MAOIs include: Nardil (phenelzine)Manerix (moclobemide)Parnate (tranylcypromine) Possible side effects of MAOIs include: AgitationDizzinessStomach problems Benzodiazepines for Social Phobia Benzodiazepines are mild tranquilizers that can be effective against phobias by reducing the level of associated anxiety. Physicians prescribe this social phobia medication on a short-term basis at the lowest dosage possible. Benzos are well-tolerated but present clinical issues such as dependence and a possible increased risk of dementia in older patients taking it for 3 to 6 months and an even greater risk for those taking it for more than 6 months, according to a data analysis of 2,000 men and women published in the journal BMJ. Commonly prescribed benzodiazepines include: Valium (diazepam)Xanax (alprazolam)Klonopin (clonazepam)Ativan (lorazepam) Side effects of low doses include: Impaired memoryDepressionDrowsinessFeeling hungover the next day Beta-Blockers for Short-term Relief Beta-blockers work by suppressing the effects of epinephrine, or adrenaline, in the body. They also block associated physical effects of high adrenaline, such as sweating and heart palpitations. A beta-blocker your physician may prescribe is Inderal (propranolol). Some beta-blockers provide short-term phobia relief because they slow your heart rate and decrease your blood pressure. They might be useful if you suffer from social phobia but must give a speech. Possible side effects of beta-blockers include: Cold fingersSleep problems and feeling tiredStomach problems Other Medications Other medications that have been studied for the treatment of social phobia include: Antiepileptic drugs: gabapentin, Lyrica (pregabalin), Keppra (levetiracetam)Tricyclic antidepressants: Tofranil (imipramine) and Anafranil (clomipramine) Discontinuing Phobia Medication You must seek the advice of your physician if you want to decrease your dosage or stop taking your phobia medication. Drugs for social anxiety disorder can have unexpected emotional and physical side effects if you don't go off them gradually. Phobia medications, like other medications, can be extremely costly. In addition, some people do not like the way certain drugs make them feel. The risks of discontinuation vary by the type of medications you are on, but it is never a good idea to simply stop taking any medications without consulting your doctor. Side Effects and Warnings To maintain your health and safety let your physician know of any other prescription or over-the-counter medications that you take, as well as any health supplements. If you have multiple doctors, keep each one up to date. Be sure to read all medication inserts and always contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 1 Source Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Glue P. Optimal treatment of social phobia: systematic review and meta-analysis. NDT. May 2012:203. doi:10.2147/NDT.S23317 Additional Reading Harvard Health Publications: Benzodiazepine Use May Raise Risk of Alzheimer's Disease (2015). Mayo Clinic: Phobias - Treatment (2014). National Health Service: Phobias - Treatment. University of Maryland Center for Substance Abuse Research: Benzodiazepines. Speak to a Therapist Online Advertiser Disclosure × The offers that appear in this table are from partnerships from which Verywell Mind receives compensation.