The traditional treatments for social phobia are behavior therapies. These include cognitive behavior therapy in which people try to identify and challenge negative thoughts, feelings, and behavior, and graded exposure to the feared situations with response prevention these do not suit all patients.

 Pharmacotherapy for social phobia has traditionally involved the old MAOI antidepressants which have problems with postural hypotension in therapeutic dose, as well as the potential for severe hypertension with drug and tyramine interactions. Tricyclic antidepressants are rarely tolerated in an adequate dose for this disorder and have multiple adverse events. These include substantial toxicity in overdose. Beta blockers have the limitations of bronchospasm and hypotension for some patients, as well as doubtful efficacy in some studies. Benzodiazepines have tolerance and dependency potential, as well as impairing the ability of patients to learn behavioral techniques.

 Recent developments have been associated with the recognition of the role of the newer antidepressant agents as effective treatment for social phobia, especially the selective reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A, Moclobemide (in doses up to 900 mg/d). SSRI and other new antidepressants have not yet been adequately studied and their role in social phobia has yet to be defined. Improvement may need higher doses of medicines than in depression, and it can be six to eight weeks before an effective response is apparent. When pharmacotherapy is effective it is usefully continued for one year or so while the patients adjusts to being well.

 Current treatment includes a combination of psychological treatments, pharmacotherapy, and social re-integration, even though the studies to date have primarily looked at single treatment modalities with little research on combination therapy.