CBT Augmentation of Paroxetine for Social Anxiety

Study start date: December 1, 2003

Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria for generalized social phobia * Willing and able to give written informed consent * English-speaking Exclusion Criteria: * Prior or current diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, organic mental disorder, bipolar disorder, or antisocial, schizotypal, and schizoid personality disorders * Suicidal thoughts * History of failed paroxetine treatment of at least 6 weeks' duration at adequate doses or a history of failed outcome of a previous adequate trial of CBT * Clinically significant and/or unstable medical disease * Pregnancy or breast-feeding. Women of childbearing potential will be required to sign a statement indicating their intention to avoid pregnancy during the study through the use of an effective method of contraception. * Alcohol or substance abuse or dependence within the past 3 months. Patients with a positive drug screen but no substance abuse disorder will be eligible for the study, provided they have not met criteria for abuse/dependence within the last 6 months and provide two clean urine samples 2 weeks apart. * Current or past history of seizure disorder (except febrile seizure in childhood) * Conditions that contraindicate the use of paroxetine * Inability to tolerate or unwillingness to accept a drug-free period of 4 weeks for monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or fluoxetine and 2 weeks for other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), neuroleptics, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, buspirone, beta-adrenergic blockers, or other psychotropic drugs prior to beginning the study * Currently receiving psychotherapy