Social anxiety disorder is a mental illness that impacts the lives of millions of people and those close to them. For example, a person with social anxiety disorder might have a problem eating in public or being in a crowded place.

The actual manifestation of social anxiety disorder tends to vary greatly from case to case. Some people facing social anxiety disorder might be afraid of speaking on the telephone, dating, driving a car or attending parties. In extreme cases of social anxiety disorder, the condition infiltrates all aspects of life.

A person with severe social anxiety disorder might fear going to school, trying to go to work or even going out of the house for a movie or going shopping. While all forms of social anxiety disorder hamper a person's ability to live life to the fullest, those who suffer from extreme cases often cordon themselves off from life almost entirely.

To stop the symptoms from happening and to prevent embarrassment, people with social anxiety disorder often do anything they can to keep themselves away from triggers. People who are close to those with social anxiety problems are generally advised to offer lots of support and exercise patience.

Social anxiety disorder is quite often very treatable. People with the condition can seek counseling, take medications and work to overcome their fears. As is the case with all anxiety disorders, however, this is a serious condition that isn't necessarily recovered from immediately and will require time and hard work on the part of the sufferer.

This article is for information purposes only and is not meant to substitute for health care or medical advice. You should always consult with a health care professional before following any recommendations.