What is a social anxiety disorder and can one be cured?

I have had this problem for many years myself, and I will give you an insight into what I felt back then. Here is what I have written, hope it helps. I have written more at, http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/40...
The wind blows circles in my mind, scattering thoughts of sanity into random confusion.
Around me I can see the calmness of structure, an anchor of serenity that never allows me the chance to steady my judgment . Two separate worlds existing in the same time and same place, one of smiles, and one of tension. My world, a continuous mental storm of relentless anxiety, the other, an island of peace.

Social confrontations are always fueled by extreme emotion, continually heightened by the unreasonable panic generated in my head. Just the slightest sign of acknowledgment, from those around me, can trigger every nerve in my body to twitch without consent and corner me into a state of unwarranted embarrassment. Oh to be able to retreat forever into the security of some passive oasis, far away from myself and all those around me.

Forced isolation, however, is never even close to the solution. It is only a means to an end, an attempt at protecting myself from the whole world ripping into my fragile mind. I envisage a rush of cold cleansing water flowing through my mind and removing all that threatens my stability. A magical stream of serenity that could wash away this unyielding mental torment. But until that time, I remain alone, consumed by apprehension, and plagued by inner anxiety. A compromise in life that allows me to function, but violates my freedom.

This type of self medication separates me from any close human contact I want so much to embrace. To have someone to hold, and who in turn holds me, just doesn鈥檛 seem possible. Day after day arrives for me with empty dreams, offering only a reflection of all those lonely yesterdays to give promise to tomorrow. What started out as just a nervous personality as a child, has now become an overwhelming pressure of self-consciousness

This almost debilitating anxiety seemed to feed off it鈥檚 own panic. I wanted desperately to find peace of mind, before the very fabric of my sanity snapped under the enormous weight put upon it. In an attempt to alleviate my suffering, I tried alcohol, and swallowed down glass after glass to counteract the hyperactivity going on in my brain. To my astonishment, the magic of alcohol actually relieved the tension, and for the first time in years, I began to feel normal.

It was, however, to be a short-lived recovery, as I was about to find out upon waking the following morning. Not only was the anxiety back, but because of the shock I gave it using alcohol, it returned with a vengeance. Drinking the day before had somehow antagonized my problem, leaving me worse off and violently ill. Facing anybody on that day would have been impossible. It was hard to believe that I could have done this to myself, but I felt it was worth it for just a few hours of mental calmness.

A downward spiral had now begun, as the temporary relief offered to me by alcohol was far too tempting to resist. Time after time I suffered through those, 鈥榤orning after鈥?periods, where unbearable storms raged havoc inside my head, yet still I continued to drink. More and more of this double edge sword needed to be consumed in order to escape both my original problem, and now this new constriction encircling my mental ability to reason. It didn鈥檛 take long before this bad choice of medication turned into an illness of it鈥檚 own, but by that time, I just didn鈥檛 care anymore.

It would take many years of suffering, for both myself and those around me, before I was able to manage my life into a more comfortable existence. Alcohol, I was later to discover, never did give me the relief I once thought it had. Instead, it used my underlining weaknesses to gain a foothold in my mind, furthering it鈥檚 own interests while sabotaging any chance for my recovery. Accepting myself for who I was, and reaching out to others for help, was to be the key I needed in obtaining mental calmness. The world exists for us to join in it鈥榮 humanity, a welcoming fellowship always ready to unburden us of our load. And with a heavenly Father offering to guide our way through the darkness, how can we go wrong
Steve Procto Source(s): Myself

Social Anxiety is an experience of fear, apprehension or worry regarding social situations and being evaluated by others. People vary in how often they experience anxiety in this way or in which kinds of situations. Anxiety about public speaking, performance, or interviews is common. Social anxiety can be related to shyness. The experience is commonly described as having physiological components (e.g. sweating, blushing), cognitive/perceptual components (e.g. belief that one may be judged negatively; looking for signs of disapproval) and behavioral components (e.g. avoiding a situation).

There is no Cure but treatment is available.
two forms of treatment are available for social phobia: certain medications and a specific form of short-term psychotherapy called cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), the central component being gradual exposure therapy.

Good Luck. I Hope That Was Helpful
Counselor
Social anxiety disorder is when being in social situations causes one anxiety. The range of symptoms can be from mild, all the way to extremely severe such as causing hallucinations or paranoia and dellusions.

Medications can sometimes help with anxiety which help control the symptoms but the best chance of actually eradicating the disorder is through therapy and anxiety management techniques. Once the person finds ways to "reframe" their fears, and acquire coping techniques, many sufferers find great success and relief.

I do not want to go so far as to say it can be cured, but it certainly can be controlled and normal activities may be achieved eventually with little discomfort.
i have this problem if you need to talk about it with somepne who understands please get a hold of me. good luck!!!!!!