Social anxiety disorder is a condition that can be either temporary or permanent. It is the chronic feeling of abject terror when hanging out in any kind of social setting whatsoever. It is basically a fear of people. But sometimes this feeling is only fleeting; a doctor can help you figure out your options. If you live in the US and suffer from social anxiety disorder then you might wish to contact Social Phobics Anonymous (SPA), which runs free 12-step support groups for people who suffer from social phobia, social anxiety disorder, shyness problems or avoidant personality disorder. SPA is a free, volunteer-run group and does not work for profits.

There are also telephone conference call groups available to anybody in the world with a phone To get the access code for the group, you can visit their website or send an e-mail to healsocialanxiety@hotmail.com. Although the services are free, you will incur long-distance charges to reach the US-based conference service.

You may also visit the website www.pac-connection.com This is a free online e-mail and chat-based peer support group for all those who suffer from anxiety disorders. Alternately there are various newsgroups which may help patients recognize their symptoms and determine the best response.

Among professionals who can help are psychiatrists, psychologists and counselors. However, it's best to look for a professional who has specialized training in cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or behavioral therapy, as appropriate, and who is open to the use of medications, should they be needed. For some people, group therapy is a helpful part of treatment.