What is the main principle behind treating social anxiety disorder?

⚪ Clinical pearl: Social anxiety disorder is definitionally unreasonable fears/thoughts about social evaluation. The core principle of treatment is to challenge unreasonable fears about social evaluation and reverse the patient's pattern of avoidance. This is primarily achieved through exposure. Treatment is structured using a "hierarchy" of feared social situations. A patient starts with tasks that provoke mild anxiety, such as asking a stranger for directions. As they demonstrate mastery, they progress to more challenging tasks, like speaking at a work meeting or even expressing a disagreement with a coworker, to build confidence and skills.

🔗 To learn more about this pearl, check out the Carlat Article: https://www.thecarlatreport.com/articles/1609-panic-disorder-social-phobia-and-ocd-is-cognitive-behavioral-therapy-still-the-best-