You truly can become a complete idiot in front of an audience. Helping the sufferers achieve a more realistic understanding of events can help desensitize them to situations, Vinson said. After a while they realize they do not look nearly as nervous as they think they look, he said. The problem in seeking treatment is that so often, social phobics see medication as a crutch and a sure sign that they are inferior, Wilson said. Although the exact cause is unknown, studies show that biological and psychological factors play a role.
Women develop it more often than men.
There might be a genetic link. Some research shows that children of shy people may experience the disorder more than the average child. Research also suggests that people with the disorder grow up in an environment that focuses more on their mistakes than their successes, Vinson said. But that does not mean the child has hypercritical parents. Any embarrassing experiences during childhood can trigger a lifetime of fear, Vinson said.