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Social Anxiety Disorder Social Anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent disease that is often overlooked by medical professionals. It is defined as paralyzing fear, avoidance behavior, and symptoms of blushing, sweating, shortness of breath, and muscle tension. People often are timid, lack self-esteem, and are uncomfortable in large groups of people. As a result of this those with social anxiety disorder may have few friends, difficulties in school, difficulties in intimate relationships, and problems with alcohol. (Masia, Klein, Storch, Corda, p.780) Social Anxiety Disorder is the third most common mental health problem, with one in eight persons or thirteen percent of the population being affected. (Zal, M. p.1686) This disorder begins usually at the age of thirteen and is a lifelong condition, and it seems to affect more women than men. There are two kinds of social anxiety; the first one is Specific social anxiety, which is one that arises in only a few situations. People who have Specific social anxiety experience blushing, nausea, sweating, trembling, and a racing heart, fearing that people will notice these they impair performance of the individual. The second kind of anxiety is generalized social anxiety, which