As with any phobia, the key to dealing with it is to get as much information as you can, find as much help as you can and start to tackle it in small steps. You could start with reading about other people in the same situation and contacting organizations like the Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Organization to find reassurance that you are not alone and ideas to help you start working with this.

Social anxiety is relatively common; in most people, it may be unpleasant but they usually manage to cope in social situations. You only need to seek help if this is really affecting your life. Ways to help yourself inlcude joining a local group of people with similar problems, and setting yourself small goals (eg exchanging a few words with someone every morning.) The most helpful tip I've ever found for dealing with social anxiety is to concentrate on the other people you're with; ask them questions and just react to what they say: you don't always have to give input.

If you click here and scroll down, you will find a list of self-help tips and also forms of treatment that are available.