The combination of medication and behavior therapy may be the most effective treatment for social anxiety disorder. Some choose to begin with medication alone, in hopes of gaining at least some initial relief of symptoms before starting behavior therapy. Still others want to start with behavior therapy, hoping to be content with the progress they make and add medication only if needed. Some patients begin treatment with medication and behavior therapy simultaneously. For many, this combination approach is the best treatment.

Although no single approach is ideal for everyone, some therapists restrict themselves to one kind of treatment and don't even consider others. The skillful therapist will carefully assess each patient's problems and attitudes toward treatment, then make a recommendation based on that information plus knowledge of the available treatments.

Although medication and behavior therapy will be discussed separately for purposes of clarity, it's important to avoid pitting these two compatible and complementary treatments against each other.