question: Social anxiety disorder (Treatment): The goal of treatment is to help you function effectively. The success of the treatment usually depends on the severity of your fears.   Behavioral treatment is often tried first and may have long-lasting benefits:     - Cognitive behavioral therapy helps you understand and change the thoughts that are causing your condition, as well as learn to recognize and replace panic-causing thoughts.   - Systematic desensitization or exposure therapy may be used. You are asked to relax, then imagine the situations that cause the anxiety, working from the least fearful to the most fearful. Gradual exposure to the real-life situation has also been used with success to help people overcome their fears.   - Social skills training may involve social contact in a group therapy situation to practice social skills. Role playing and modeling are techniques used to help you become more comfortable relating to others in a social situation.      Certain medicines, usually used to treat depression, may be very helpful for this disorder. They work by preventing your symptoms or making them less severe. You must take these medicines every day. DO NOT stop taking them without talking with your provider.   Medicines called sedatives (or hypnotics) may also be prescribed.     - These medicines should only be taken under a doctor's direction.   - Your doctor will prescribe a limited amount of these drugs. They should not to be used everyday.   - They may be used when symptoms become very severe or when you are about to be exposed to something that always brings on your symptoms.   - If you are prescribed a sedative, do not drink alcohol while on this medicine.      Lifestyle changes may help reduce how often the attacks occur.     - Get regular exercise, enough sleep, and regularly scheduled meals.   - Reduce or avoid the use of caffeine, some over-the-counter cold medicines, and other stimulants.