Some anxiety research groups believe that social phobia often begins in childhood and progresses as a person enters adulthood. Like other anxiety disorders, the negative responses a person has to feeling anxious about a social events or settings they are attending or planning to attend (immediate or anticipated anxiety), becomes more of a learned behavior. A person with Sicial Anxiety Disorder (SAD) for example, may experience panic attacks when socializing with one or more people or may avoid social settings because of their uncomfortable anxiety symptoms when around people. These reactions cause the anxiety disorder to worsen and will need drug and/or psychiatrict therapy, for coping with it, or to even overome it over time.

People with SAD, develop fears of being judged by others whom they believe to be observing them closely, as to how well they converse with others and as to how well they display their social mannerisms. In reality, others are not observing them as closely as they think and are more comfortable around them than they believe they are. It is a type of extreme or exaggerated shyness thatt can seriously affect quality of life and the ability to cope in society. Sad can restrict a person's life so that they do not want to go out into public for any reason, including things like shopping for food or going to the post office, to a doctor visit, etc...

Entertainer - Donny Osmond is one famous sufferer of social phobia, with associated panic attacks that he attests to being present beginning in his childhood. He has however, learned to cope with SAD, through drug therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and has since served as a spokesman for people with anxiety disorders.

ThyroJim gave a very concise answer, but I would also stress that you can heal yourself of this disorder without drugs by getting and reading the book Hope and Help for Your Nerves by Dr. Clare Weeks. This book is a very powerful program that explains exactly what to do to deal with anxiety and panic attacks and I highly recommend it to anyone who is suffering. I have given the book to countless people and they have all been greatly helped without medication.

Thanks Madama!