Brief Answer: Zoloft needs to be monitored. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for trusting us with your health concern. Social anxiety requires psychological counseling and anti anxiety medicines. In drug treatment two types of medicines are used. For immediate relief of anxiety benzodiazepines group of medicines are used and for long term relief most commonly SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are used. Zoloft is an SSRI and it takes around 3-4 weeks to show its effect and behaviour therapy also takes weeks to show its effect. All these treatments need to be taken under supervision of psychiatrist as dosage regulation is needed to have an optimum effect and minimal side effects. In addition to medicines follow these treatment measures. 1) Controlling the anxiety levels. Try to identify and focus on activities that make you feel better. Motivate yourself to do things for yourself, talk to your family and friends and discuss your stress with them. They will help you find a solution to your problem. Controlling and removing anxiety is the primary treatment. Also join some meditation and yoga classes to calm your mind. 2) Regular exercise and proper diet are essential to good health. Exercise is of paramount importance because it releases endorphins from the body. 3) Psychotherapy and cognitive behavior therapy is of equal importance as medications and you should hold these sessions with a good psychiatrist/ psychologist. Please feel free to discuss further. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Rakhi Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Rakhi-Tayal

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