Social Anxiety Disorder or Social Phobia is a type of anxiety disorder.  It's normal for people to feel shy, uncomfortable or nervous in some social situations such as giving a presentation, going on a date or going to a party.  Social Anxiety Disorder however is where someone feels distressed and has symptoms of anxiety being in any social situation, or around other people.  It can be characterised by:

• avoiding crowded places or situations where you need to interact with another person
• worry that you will be watched and/or criticised by others
• replaying interactions you've had in your head and worry about what you've said, how you've responded, how you've been perceived
• a fear of being embarrassed, being spoken to, avoiding situations where you may be put on the spot or the centre of attention
• A phobia of having people behind you, worry that when you hear people laugh they are laughing at you