FDA Approval For Treatment Of Social Anxiety Disorder (NAPSA)—Consider these situations: A college student avoids going out to dinner because she fears peo- ple in the restaurant will stare at and scrutinize her. She knowsthis is not really true, but she can’t shake the feeling. A woman in her thirties agonizes over a meeting with her boss as she fears he will notice her trembling hands and voice when she begins to speak. A manfinds it difficult to walk down the street. He keeps his eyes safely away from anyone’s gaze and hopes he can make it home without hav- \ ; + : V1 WTAE der, also known associal phobia, The most common anxiety disorder in the United States, social anxiety, affects more than 16 million people. everyday social or performance situations. This constant fear of Disorders Clinic at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, “Social anxiety disorder impairs quality of life by affecting work functioning ing to talk to anyone. These people all suffer from social anxiety disorder. This disor- is an impairing and often chronic condition characterized by an intense and persistent fear of judgment, embarrassment and humiliation makes a person either avoid situations or endure them with extremedistress. Social anxiety disorder is the most common anxiety disorder in the United States, affecting more than 16 million people. Studies show that a strong correlation exists between social anxiety dis- order and the development of other psychiatric illnesses including depression, obsessive-compul- sive disorder and panic disorder. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration recently approved Zoloft’ (sertraline hydrochloride) for treatment of social anxiety disor- der. According to Dr. Michael R. Liebowitz, Director of The Anxiety and social relationships. Studies for the treatment of social anxiety disorder show that Zoloft is an effective first-line treatment option. Even those who may suffer from high levels of symptom sever- ity respond well to treatment.” People taking monoamine oxi- dase inhibitors (MAOIs) or pimo- zide should not take Zoloft. The most commonside effects of Zoloft include dry mouth, sweating, diarrhea, upset stomach, nausea, sexual side effects, feeling tired and having sleep problems. For more information and full prescribing information, log on to www.zoloft.com or call 1-8006-Zoloft.
