Do you feel afraid and uncomfortable when you're around other people? Maybe you think your fear is just a part of who you are and that you can't change the way you feel. But there is a name for this fear: social phobia, or social anxiety disorder (SAD). It's a real illness, and it can be serious.

Answer yes or no to the following questions to determine if you could have social phobia.

1. Do you have an intense fear of doing or saying something to embarrass yourself in front of other people?

2. Are you always afraid of making a mistake and being watched and judged by other people?

3. Does a fear of embarrassment make you avoid speaking to others or doing things you want to do?

4. Do you worry for days or weeks before meeting new people?

5. Do you blush, sweat profusely, tremble or feel nauseous before and during an event at which you?re with new people?

6. Do you usually shy away from social situations, such as mingling at school events and making speeches?

7. Do you often drink to try to ease these fears?

If you answered yes to some or all of these questions, you could have social phobia. Learn more about SAD and its symptoms.

Source: National Institute of Mental Health
Bethesda, Maryland