It's natural to feel self-conscious, nervous, or shy in front of
others at times. Anyone can have a racing heart, sweaty palms,
or fluttering stomach when trying out for chorus, asking someone
on a first date, or giving a class presentation. Most people
manage to get through these moments when they need to. But for
some, the anxiety that goes with feeling shy or self-conscious
can be extreme. It can seem so unbearable that they might feel
too nervous to give answers in class, be unable to make eye
contact with classmates in the hallway, or avoid chatting with
others at the lunch table. When people feel so self-conscious
and anxious that it prevents them from speaking up or
socializing most of the time, it's probably more than shyness.
It may be an anxiety condition called social phobia. What Is
Social Phobia? Social phobia (also called social anxiety) is a
type of anxiety problem. Extreme feelings of shyness and self-
consciousness build into a powerful fear. As a result, a person
feels uncomfortable participa