Shyness pill undergoing tests

Social anxiety can be extremely debiliating

A pill that may help people who suffer from debilitating anxiety in social situations is being tested by British doctors.

Escitalopram could be available on prescription within a year if the current clinical trials produce positive results.

It is normal to be anxious in certain situations, but for these people the anxiety triggers are switched on much, much earlier and inappropriately

Dr Susan Taylor

The drug is manufactured by the pharmaceutical firm Lundbeck. A similar drug, Citalopram, manufactured by the same company, is licensed in the UK for the treatment of panic attacks and depression.

Escitalopram works by modifying levels of a brain chemical called serotonin, which is known to influence mood.

The trials are being organised at nine centres throughout the UK by a company called Synexus.

Dr Susan Taylor, a research physician for Synexus, told BBC News Online that social anxiety was far more common that most people thought.

She said many people had become highly skilled at hiding their condition, often by avoiding the social situations that sparked their anxiety.

People on the trial come from all walks of life, and include a headteacher and policemen.

Hidden for years

Dr Taylor said: "We are recruiting people who are absolutely normal in every other way and who may well have hidden their level of social anxiety for many, many years.

"It is normal to be anxious in certain situations, but for these people the anxiety triggers are switched on much, much earlier and inappropriately.

Escitalopram has produced promising results

"They may get highly anxious just going to a restaurant for a coffee with a friend, meeting somebody new, or picking up the telephone to speak to somebody for the first time."

Although the anxiety may be triggered by specific situations, it becomes generalised, and affects every aspect of the patient's life.

The drug is being tested in two trials. The first, which runs for nine months, is due to finish next spring. The second, which will run for six months, is still recruiting volunteers.

Carol Ferguson, who is helping to co-ordinate the trial, said some people had already been helped. One man had been unable to go out to family functions for a long time.

She said: "After a few weeks of being on the study he actually managed for the first time in years to go along and take part in a family wedding."

The trials are taking place at Synexus centres in Birmingham, Cardiff, Reading, Glasgow, Chorley, Wigan, Liverpool, Crosby and Manchester.

People who would like to take part should contact Synexus at 01257 230723.