medications. In fact, two states (New Mexico and Louisiana) now allow psychologists 
with appropriate training to prescribe medications as well. For most people, a visit to 
your family doctor is a good place to start if you are interested in trying medications. 
He or she can make a referral to a psychiatrist or other professional if needed. If you 
are interested in trying a psychological treatment such as CBT, you have the option of 
trying to overcome the problem on your own or seeking professional help.
Self-Help or Professional Help?
For some people, a self-help approach such as that described in this book may be 
sufﬁcient. In fact, a study by Moore, Braddock, and Abramowitz (2007) found that 
most people who used the ﬁrst edition of this book achieved signiﬁcant reduction in 
their social anxiety, even without any additional therapy. However, for others, a self-help 
book alone is not enough, and many people ﬁnd that the added structure and support 
provided by a therapist is important. If you decide to seek professional help, this book