Social Phobia

People with social phobia fear being observed. People with severe stage fright are an example, but would be diagnosed with social phobia only if the phobia interfered significantly with some aspect of their lives. They are afraid of appearing stupid or embarrassing themselves in some way. The diagnosis would be Delusional Disorder if the fear were based on, say, fear of assassination because one was the secret leader of forces of good against the forces of evil that were out to kill one. Similarly, if the fear were realistic, no diagnosis would be justified. People with social phobia are likely to have low opinions of themselves, be very sensitive to criticism, fear rejection, and accordingly have great difficulty asserting themselves. Some degree of anxiety in social situations is extremely common, occurring in perhaps half the population, but a diagnosis of social phobia is probably justified in only about 2% of the population. Thus even using the stringent criteria for diagnosis, literally millions of people have social phobia. Once it arises, social phobia is likely to be permanent unless it is treated.

If you or someone you love has social phobia, you may find relief if you consult a mental health professional (clinician, therapist). A mental health professional  will conduct a thorough evaluation  to first understand what is happening and then will discuss treatment options, including medications.

There are many ways family members or loved ones can help individuals to deal with their disorder better. 

Read a book on the subject:  

Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne

Anxiety, Phobias, and Panic : A Step-By-Step Program for Regaining Control of Your Life by Reneau Z. Peurifoy

Go to a commercial site with information on social anxiety and links to many other sites, including one for the  Social Phobia Association.