Treatment of social phobia with atenolol.

Social phobia is the least well studied phobic disorder of those included in DSM-III. Reports from the British literature indicate that the condition is a distinct one that usually begins in adolescence and affects males more often than females. Patients characteristically complain of somatic symptoms and a fear of humiliation when confronted with specific social stimuli. Ten social phobic patients were openly treated with the cardioselective, peripherally active beta-adrenergic blocking drug atenolol. Five patients had complete response and four had moderate response. Side effects were minimal. Atenolol appears to work in social phobic patients by reducing autonomic nervous system response to phobic stimuli.