A lot of people tend to confuse social anxiety disorders with shyness when around other people, but what these people do not know is that over five million people, particularly in the United States, are constantly on the lookout for solutions and techniques in coping with anxiety. For one to understand even more what causes social anxiety disorder and how to cure or overcome it, the first step is to know what social anxiety disorder really means.

Social anxiety disorder is a kind of anxiety disorder that usually occurs where people fear being in social situations or in large groups of people. This means a person with this kind of disorder would often feel anxious, panicky, and humiliated when around other people because of their intense fear of being judged and criticized by the people around them. There are two kinds of social anxiety disorders: short term or specific anxiety disorder and long term or general anxiety disorder. On one hand, a specific social anxiety disorder means the disorder is triggered during certain or specific situations only while general social anxiety, on the other, refers to a long-term and chronic type that should be dealt and treated by anxiety disorder specialists. This type of anxiety disorder is identified through symptoms such as a racing heart, uncontrolled trembling, obvious blushing, and even sweating too much. Though many people think this is a fear that can be dealt with through mere therapy and constant social interaction, many patients find it very difficult to overcome and actually prevent it from getting in the way.

Here are some effective tips on how to overcome social anxiety disorder:

· Try to lessen you intake of caffeine drinks such as coffee, caffeinated soft drinks and sodas, and also foods that contain caffeine like energy drinks and chocolates. These usually act as stimulants that normally would promote anxiety symptoms.

· Getting enough sleep during the night is very effective in keeping you calm and focused in social situations and events. Normally people who are deprived of sleep tend to be a lot more defenseless against anxiety symptoms, so being able to sleep well enough will definitely help.

· Going into therapy, especially if you have the chronic case of anxiety phobia, will definitely help in controlling one’s anxiety whenever he or she encounters others or is in large social events.