I used to have similar anxiety when meeting new people...at parties, I used to sneak upstairs to play with the dog or any children the hosts might have. But, I kind of grew out of it when I moved into the city 18 years ago...there is always someone to talk to, and I eventually came to like walking down the street and always running into someone I knew. Honestly, some folks have the most amazing stories...

I like the suggestion that if you do not feel comfortable talking, practice being a good listener....there are too few of these around anyway!

Do you know if there is a specific cause to your social phobia?