Editing Phobia (section)

===Medications===
Medications are a treatment option often utilized in combination with CBT or if CBT was not tolerated or effective. Medications can help regulate apprehension and fear of a particular fearful object or situation. There are various medication options available for both social anxiety disorder and agoraphobia. The use of medications for specific phobias, besides the limited role of benzodiazepines, do not currently have established guidelines due to minimal supporting evidence.

==== Antidepressants ====
Antidepressant medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors [[selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor|(SSRIs]]), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors ([[SNRIs]]), or monoamine oxidase inhibitors ([[MAOIs]]) may be helpful in some cases. SSRIs / SNRIs act on serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain. Because of serotonin's positive impacts on mood, an antidepressant may be offered and prescribed as a treatment option. For social anxiety, the SSRIs sertraline, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, and the SNRI venlafaxine have FDA approval. Similar medications may be offered for agoraphobia.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1112141174 |title=Behavioral medicine : a guide for clinical practice |date=2020 | vauthors = Feldman MD, Christensen JF, Satterfield JM, Laponis R |isbn=978-1-260-14269-3 |edition=Fifth |location=New York |oclc=1112141174}}</ref>

==== Benzodiazepines ====
Sedatives such as [[benzodiazepine]]s (clonazepam, alprazolam) are another therapeutic option, which can help people relax by reducing the amount of anxiety they feel.<ref name="Marshall">{{cite journal | vauthors = Marshall JR | title = Integrated treatment of social phobia | journal = Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic | volume = 59 | issue = 2 Suppl A | pages = A27–A37 | year = 1995 | pmid = 7795569 }}</ref> Benzodiazepines may be useful in the acute treatment of severe symptoms, but the risk-benefit ratio usually goes against their long-term use in phobic disorders.<ref>{{Cite book | vauthors = Stein DJ  |title= Clinical Manual of Anxiety Disorders |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=44reFIgFDBMC&pg=PA53 |edition=1st |date=16 February 2004 |quote=Fears are common in children and adolescents. However, for some youth, these fears persist and develop into specific phobias. A specific phobia is an intense, enduring fear of an identifiable object or situation that may lead to panic symptoms, distress, and avoidance (e.g., fears of dogs, snakes, storms, heights, costumed characters, the dark, and similar objects or situations). Moreover, phobias can affect a youngster's quality of life by interfering with school, family, friends, and free-time. It is estimated that 5% to 10% of youth will develop a phobia before reaching the age of 16. |publisher=American Psychiatric Press Inc. |location=US |isbn=978-1-58562-076-0 |page=53 |chapter=Specific Phobia}}</ref> This class of medication has recently been shown as effective if used with negative behaviours such as excessive alcohol use.<ref name="Marshall" /> Despite this positive finding, benzodiazepines are used with caution due to side effects and risk of developing dependence or withdrawal symptoms. In specific phobia for example if the phobic stimulus is one that is not regularly encountered such as flying a short course may be provided.

==== Beta-blockers ====
[[Beta blocker]]s (propranolol) are another therapeutic option, particularly for those with the performance only subtype of social anxiety disorder. They may stop the stimulating effects of adrenaline, such as sweating, increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, tremors, and the feeling of a pounding heart.<ref name="Marshall" /> By taking beta-blockers before a phobic event, these symptoms are decreased, making the event less frightening. Beta-blockers are not effective for generalized social anxiety disorder.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/1282172709 |title=Harrison's principles of internal medicine |publisher=McGraw Hill / Medical | edition =  21st | date = April 2022 | vauthors = Loscalzo J, Fauci AS, Kasper DL, Hauser SL, Longo DL, Jameson JL |isbn=978-1-264-26849-8 |location=New York |pages=Chapter 452 |oclc=1282172709}}</ref>