Social anxiety, also known as social anxiety disorder (SAD) or social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder that causes sufferers to have extreme fear in social situations.

People with the disorder may avoid meeting new people and attending social gatherings. They tend to have an overwhelming fear of being judged or embarrassed in public.

However, even though one with the disorder may know that their fears are irrational, they may feel powerless to control them.

According to the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America), roughly 15 million American adults have SAD. 

People often get confused between what is considered shyness and social anxiety. Shyness is usually short-term and doesn't interfere with one's daily life. Social anxiety, on the other hand, is debilitating and persistent and interferes with 

- work
- school
- forming relationships outside of their family.