Shyness is exceedingly common, and in its extreme form, manifests itself as a disabling condition known as both social phobia and social anxiety. The number of men and women, spanning a range of ages and walks of life, who suffer from shyness and social anxiety is in the millions and growing. From the tendency to withdraw from unfamiliar people and situations to public speaking anxiety, test anxiety, sports performance anxiety, dating anxiety, to paruresis (the fear of using public bathrooms), a variety of situations exist that can trigger feelings of discomfort. For some persons, the level of discomfort is so high that it prevents them from living life as fully as they would like to.The good news is that help is available. Whether you, your child, a friend, or a family suffers from anxiety in social situations, this invaluable book, written with great sensitivity­­and a dash of good humor­­can help.Copublished by the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, and written by two experts in the field, Triumph Over Shyness gets to the heart of the matter by helping you navigate the terminology and define, recognize, and tackle your shyness head-on. Here you will learn that shyness, like height or eye color, is a heritable trait­­though not influenced exclusively by genes. You will also learn how embarrassment and shame fit into the mix of shyness and anxiety. Discover what shyness and social anxiety look and feel like, where they may be coming from­­and what you can do about them. In addition, you'll find real-life case histories, plus:techniques and exercises to help you overcome shyness and social anxiety the latest information on medications and treatments, including those for children and adolescents ways to improve your relationships, manage physical symptoms, and conquer anxious thoughts advice and information on how to help a shy child support for the challenges you may face as you confront your fears