The enhancing effects of testosterone in exposure treatment for social anxiety disorder: a randomized proof-of-concept trial.

ABSTRACT: Individuals with a social anxiety disorder (SAD) show hypofunctioning of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which is linked to social fear and avoidance behavior. As testosterone administration has been shown to facilitate social-approach behavior in this population, it may enhance the effectiveness of exposure treatment. In this proof-of-concept study, we performed a randomized clinical assay in which 55 women diagnosed with SAD received two exposure therapy sessions. Session 1 was supplemented with either testosterone (0.50 mg) or placebo. Next, transfer effects of testosterone augmentation on within-session subjective fear responses and SAD symptom severity were assessed during a second, unenhanced exposure session (session 2) and at a 1-month follow-up, respectively. The pa

SUBMITTER: Hutschemaekers MHM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8379251 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature