For a client diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, which primary anxiolytic medications might be prescribed? Select all that apply.

In treating social anxiety disorder, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are often the first-line medications due to their efficacy in managing anxiety symptoms. Escitalopram is an SSRI known for its ability to reduce social anxiety by modulating serotonin levels, thereby improving mood and anxiety symptoms over time.

Buspirone, while an anxiolytic, primarily focuses on generalized anxiety disorder rather than social anxiety, and its effects may not be as robust for the specific symptoms associated with social anxiety. Alprazolam and clonazepam are benzodiazepines, which are sometimes used for quick relief of anxiety symptoms but do not address the underlying causes and can lead to dependence if used long-term.

In this context, escitalopram stands out as a suitable choice for treating a client with social anxiety disorder due to its profile as an effective SSRI, promoting long-term management of anxiety symptoms without the risks associated with benzodiazepines.