Dr Simon Byrne from UQ's School of Psychology spoke with ABC Radio Mornings about the new study coaching parents in exposure therapy to help their shy children have more confidence.
"Most people throughout their life will experience a level of shyness in certain situations," Dr Byrne said.
"While shyness is normal to a certain extent, as a clinical psychologist I'd think that if someone was shy and it was causing a level of distress in their life.
"If it was making them feel pretty bad, and on top of that it was causing a level of interference I guess we'd say at that point it's no longer just shyness and it's crossed over into what we would refer to as social anxiety."
The interview runs from the 1 hour and 50 minute mark.
