Some say that shyness is hereditary/genetic. Let's suppose for a moment that shyness is instead a conditioned response caused by environmental factors. Shyness could be the result of improper parenting, trauma, isolation, abuse, or being different. Shyness that runs in families might be learned/conditioned rather than genetically based. The most widely available current "solution" for shyness is the mental illness approach: shy people are prescribed medicines and sent away to (somehow almost magically) get better (Does this work, can this work?). Sometimes but infrequently, individual therapy or group therapy is used. An entirely different approach to overcoming shyness is for shy people to form mutual support groups led by themselves or others (volunteer professionals?). A book or literature related to shyness could serve as a discussion starter. Shyness mutual support groups could meet regularly to work on conversation skills and assertiveness, and to go on group outings to movie theaters, coffee shops, weekly dinners, walks...Group members should be encouraged to safely participate in a buddy system with alternating members of the group, contacting each other by phone and/or e-mail or meeting in person at a food establishment to share a meal or just go for a walk. No one should feel pushed into participating too far beyond their comfort level - some of us "shies" can benefit just from an occassional phone call or quietly being in the company of others while others would be comfortable as more active participants. I have heard of such mutual support groups for shyness, and have even located several on the internet (www.meetup.com), but oddly they are always too far away from where I live. I wish I could start a group myself, but I too am shy and lack self-confidence. Any thoughts?

Beaumont