Social Anxiety Disorder

1 medicine

Social anxiety disorder is a persistent, disproportionate fear of being judged or embarrassed in social situations. It responds well to cognitive behavioural therapy and, when needed, SSRIs such as paroxetine.

Paxil Cr

Paroxetine

12.5/25/37.5mg

Paxil Cr is a antidepressants medication containing Paroxetine, available as 12.5/25/37.5mg tablets.

from $1.43 / tablet View

Key facts

  • Social anxiety disorder is a persistent fear of being judged, embarrassed, or humiliated in social or performance situations, not shyness that fades with practice.
  • Triggers commonly include speaking to colleagues, eating in public, meeting strangers, or being observed doing ordinary tasks, often with physical symptoms like blushing, sweating, or a racing heart.
  • Cognitive behavioural therapy is the first-line treatment. When symptoms are severe, medicines from the antidepressants class, particularly paroxetine, are commonly added.
  • Treatment usually takes several weeks to show effect, and most people continue for at least a year to consolidate the gains.

What social anxiety actually feels like

The fear tends to centre on specific triggers: speaking up in a meeting, eating in front of others, meeting new people, or simply being watched while doing something ordinary. Physical symptoms often follow fast, blushing, sweating, a pounding heart, or a mind that suddenly goes blank at the worst possible moment. Left unaddressed, the anticipatory dread of these situations leads many people to avoid them altogether, which can shrink their work opportunities, relationships, and daily life over time.

Treatment options

Cognitive behavioural therapy is the first-line approach and produces lasting change for most people by gradually retraining the response to feared situations. When symptoms are severe, or therapy alone isn't enough, medicines from the antidepressants class are commonly used alongside it. Paroxetine is one of the most studied options for social anxiety disorder, with consistent evidence from clinical trials. Treatment typically takes several weeks to build to full effect, and most people stay on it for at least a year to consolidate the improvement before considering tapering off.

When to see a doctor

If social anxiety is causing significant distress, limiting your work or relationships, or making it hard to even ask for help in the first place, talking to a doctor is a reasonable first step. Symptoms that come with panic attacks, or that lead to avoiding daily responsibilities entirely, deserve a prompt assessment rather than waiting it out alone.

This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.