Psychodynamic therapy for social anxiety: the comparison matters
A review of randomized trials found symptom improvements versus waiting lists, but no statistically clear difference from active treatments.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Short-term psychodynamic therapy reduced social anxiety symptoms more than waiting-list controls at treatment end. Against active treatments, the pooled result did not show a statistically significant difference. This does not establish that treatments are equivalent. The review supports a possible benefit, while study quality and limited follow-up detail leave uncertainty about its size and durability.
Lower-quality trials reported larger effects against passive controls. This abstract-based explanation cannot assess individual trial methods, identify all active treatments, or determine how long follow-up benefits lasted.
What researchers found
Social anxiety symptoms versus active treatment
At treatment end, the pooled standardized effect showed no statistically significant difference between short-term psychodynamic therapy and active treatments.
Why the comparator matters
Waiting-list comparisons ask whether therapy helps relative to waiting for treatment. Active-treatment comparisons ask how it performs against another intervention. The review's positive waiting-list result and inconclusive active-treatment result answer different questions.
What follow-up can tell us
Available follow-up suggested that social anxiety gains persisted, with some further improvement. No difference in dropout rates was detected. The abstract gives no follow-up lengths or detailed estimates, leaving the durability of those changes uncertain.
The original publication
Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for social anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Norén M, Lindqvist K, Lilliengren P et al.
BMC Psychol · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41787584
- Record checked
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