http://www.nimh.nih.gov/HealthInformation/socialphobiamenu.cfm
This document also available in Spanish
National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health
Social phobia is a real illness. It can be treated with medicine and therapy. If you have social phobia, you are very worried about embarrassing yourself in front of other people. Your fears may be so serious that you cannot do everyday things. You may have a very hard time talking to people at work or school. Your fear may even keep you from going to work or school on some days.