Social and Performance Anxiety: Understanding Treatment Options in Washington

Many adults in Washington struggle with anxiety that is specific to social situations or performance based situations. This can include public speaking, interviews, video meetings, work presentations, interacting in groups, or even one on one conversations where you worry about how you are being perceived.

Social or performance anxiety is not a personal flaw. It is not a problem with willpower. It is a predictable pattern of fear that can be improved with the right combination of treatment, strategies, and support.

Medication is not the only approach, but it can be a helpful tool if anxiety is getting in the way of your social life, your work, or your confidence.

Therapy approaches

Therapy is often the foundation of treatment for social or performance anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy and exposure based strategies can help shift avoidance into gradual practice and confidence building. Skills based therapy can help adjust thought patterns, internal expectations, and self talk.

Many people find that even a few sessions with a supportive therapist can make situations feel more manageable.

Medication options

There are non controlled medications that can help. Every person is different, but the most commonly used options in this area include:

• SSRIs

• SNRIs

• medications that support anxiety reduction in specific situations

• medications that stabilize mood if anxiety is related to stress load or emotional reactivity

Medication is not about changing who you are. It is about reducing the intensity of the physical response that makes anxiety feel overwhelming.

Building a plan that fits your life

Good care for social or performance anxiety is collaborative. The goal is not to eliminate all nervousness. The goal is to help you engage in the situations that matter to you without feeling flooded in the moment.

The first step is usually an evaluation to understand your symptoms, your history, and what has helped or not helped in the past. If you want to read more about how that first meeting works in a telehealth setting, you can read my recent post titled What to expect from your first telepsychiatry appointment: which walks through the process in detail.

If you live in Washington and want support

I offer psychiatric evaluations and medication management through telehealth for adults in Washington. I prescribe non controlled medications only.

Same day and next day availability is often possible, and pricing is simple.

If you would like to talk about whether medication may help with your social or performance anxiety, or if you want to coordinate care with your therapist, you can reach out through the contact form and schedule a visit online.