The Treatment of Social Phobia

Abstract

Socially phobic outpatients (16) underwent a 4 wk course of social skills training that attempted to maximize rehearsal in real-life settings. The therapy was largely conducted by nonprofessional volunteers after a 2 h training workshop. It consisted of multiple role-played practice in the clinic, followed immediately by rehearsal in a real-life setting in the company of a nonprofessional therapist and a fellow patient. Subsequently, patients were randomly paired to perform further rehearsals between sessions. Drug therapy was controlled by double blind assignment to propranolol or inert placebo throughout the course of treatment. Measures of specific fears, generalized social anxiety, self-image and global tension and anxiety were administered 1 mo. before treatment, immediately before and after treatment, and at 6 mo. follow-up. During a 4 wk drug-free period prior to active treatment no improvement was noted on any measures. After the 4 wk treatment period significant improvement had occurred on all outcome measures. Propranolol and placebo subgroups showed very similar results. Treatment gains were sustained at follow-up. Repeated behavior rehearsal, in the clinic and in real life, is a cost-effective treatment procedure for many social phobias. The approach is straightforward and can be applied by nonprofessionals, including the patients themselves, after limited training and with minimal supervision.