Does it take a fairy godmother to turn a frog into a prince? No. Can a wallflower become an outgoing conversationalist? Yes.

Most people are shy or timid sometimes, and almost half of the population qualifies as shy most of the time. But what if every new social encounter made you perspire?

Doctors at Philadelphia's Temple University say social anxiety can destroy people's lives and make them feel powerless. The disorder appears to be triggered by a mix of genes, environment, anxious parents, and teasing classmates. No one knows for sure.

The condition affects about five million Americans, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. It can led to depression and substance abuse. Now, drug companies are coming to the rescue with medications such as Paxil, Effexor, and Zoloft, which have been approved as treatments.

Cognitive-behavior therapy is very helpful, and patients who take it are less likely than medication users to suffer a relapse. At the Anxiety Disorders Association of America, therapists say people with social anxiety disorder have distorted thinking when it comes to social contacts.

• How'd They Do That?