If you suffer with social anxiety, you know what I'm talking about. Those little comments that people make, who may or may not realize the impact on you.

What is the worst thing that someone has ever said to you? What comments bug you the most? Vote in this week's poll or share what people have said to you.

• 10 Worst Things to Say to Someone With SAD

• What's the Worst Thing Someone Could Say to You?

As the first decade of the new millenium comes to a close, it is time to reflect back on the events of the past ten years. The headlines pertaining to social anxiety disorder (SAD) ranged from the worst imaginable to some of the most inspiring.

Here's a look back at the years 2000 to 2009.

Photo © Mario Tama / Getty

If you are looking for work or have been recently laid off, chances are that there is a job interview in your future. For many people, the prospect of having to sell themselves in an interview is terrifying; for those with social anxiety disorder (SAD) it can be nearly impossible. Below are some quick tips to help you get through your next interview:

• Arrive early. There is nothing worse than being rushed on your way to an interview. Give yourself plenty of time.
  
  
• Breathe. If you find yourself panicking during an interview, take long slow breaths from your diaphragm.
  
  
• Congratulate yourself. Even if you don't get the job, congratulate yourself on doing the interview. Never ruminate about what you think might have gone wrong, but do think about how you could improve your interviewing skills in the future.

Read more about job interview anxiety:

• Dealing with Job Interview Anxiety
• 10 Tips For Coping With Job Interview Anxiety
• How Do You Handle Job Interviews?

Photo © Microsoft

Although I am not a regular viewer of Dancing With the Stars, I have seen enough episodes to know that what the dancers do is not easy.

Throw a bunch of celebrities in the mix who may or may not be quick learners, and you have the makings of a great reality show. A show that Donny Osmond probably would never have dreamed about participating in back in 1994 when he first started having problems with SAD.

Fast forward 15 years and where do we stand? Donny Osmond has not only competed in, but won Dancing With the Stars. Congratulations to a great performer and a shining example of how you should never give up, no matter how difficult things seem at the time.

Photo: Henry S. Dziekan / Getty Images

Back in September of 2007, I blogged about two brothers raising awareness for SAD who met up with then not-so-well-known pitcher Zack Greinke. Little did I know at the time what was in store for Greinke and that his name would keep popping up.

In April of this year I wrote about Greinke being on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Well-deserving, I thought, and a real victory for those dealing with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Here was someone who had not only managed to overcome SAD, but who was also excelling in his career.

Now here we are in November of 2009, and the good news just keeps coming. Zack Greinke was named the 2009 Cy Young award winner. A look at his stats tell us why. Now the fans are asking what he will do next year. I would argue that he's done enough; but then I didn't know what to expect two years ago. Maybe the best is still yet to come.

Photo: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images

Claudia Schiffer was an unlikely candidate to become a model. The stunning beauty once hid in the back row at school, afraid to be the center of attention or have others look at her.

Schiffer describes how traveling and working with a variety of people helped her to overcome her shyness. Over time, she says, she learned how to stop analyzing what other people were thinking and be more confident.

Although a modelling career is not going to be the answer for most people with social anxiety disorder (SAD), there is something to take away from Claudia's story. Sometimes, having the tools in place to change is not enough. Sometimes what we really need is a challenge and a new set of circumstances.

Photo: Carlos Alvarez / Getty Images

Fifteen-year-old Jordan Taylor Brown knows what it is like to suffer with social anxiety disorder (SAD). Having suffered with the disorder since she was a toddler, Brown has written a fictional account based on her experience with the disorder. The feelings, thoughts and reactions of the main character are very real to the author.

Interestingly, the publisher chose only to edit the novel for spelling, grammar and punctuation. The feeling was that the flow of the book reflected the thought process of someone with the disorder. Although I have not yet read the novel, I believe that it has the potential to be one of the most interesting and honest accounts that exists about having SAD.

Photo © Power of One Publishing

If you suspect that your teenager may suffer from social anxiety disorder (SAD), it can be hard to know what to do and how to bring the topic up in conversation. Dr. Steven Richfield, a child psychologist and author, provides the following tips to broach the topic of social anxiety with a teenager.

• Be Curious. There is nothing more off-putting to a teenager than a parent who seems meddlesome and concerned. Instead, talk with your teen from a curious perspective to learn more about how she is feeling.
  
  

• Talk Openly. Your teen may be embarrassed by the topic but that doesn't mean that you should be. Be as calm and direct as you can to encourage further conversation.
  
  
• Challenge Your Teen. It is never too late to overcome social anxiety. Suggest that your teen start with peers who seem open and approachable when taking those difficult first steps.
  
  
• Encourage Cultural Literacy. Suggest that your teen become aware of what is popular; music, television, movies, clothes, sports, school clubs and social networking sites are good topics of conversation.

Above all else, remember that your teen is an individual. If she prefers reading books to wild parties, that is her prerogrative. However, when self-imposed isolation interferes with the natural socialization process, it may be time to step in.

Photo © Microsoft

You have probably heard of people bringing service animals on airplanes to help with a variety of conditions. When animals are companions for people with mental health problems they are generally referred to as emotional support animals. With the right documentation, someone with social anxiety disorder (SAD) could bring a dog along on a flight, as long as that dog is an emotional support animal.

A woman in Missouri decided to take the concept of a service animal a few steps further. Debby Rose recently sued Wal-Mart (among other organizations) in a bid to be able to bring her pet monkey Richard along while shopping. Rose argued that Richard was a service animal and that she suffered with SAD. The judge ruled in favor of Wal-Mart, arguing that Rose had not received a proper diagnosis or treatment for her condition, and that the monkey posed a health risk to other customers.

In general I am in favor of emotional support animals however I believe that this woman may have crossed the line. What are your thoughts about this case? Vote in the poll below.

Photo © KY3 Inc.

Selective mutism is a form of social anxiety that renders a child or adult unable to speak in certain social situations. For children with selective mutism, heading back to school in the fall can be more than just a drag. It can be the beginning of anxiety-filled days, lonely lunches, and pressure to speak from teachers.

Middle-school teacher Eileen Dame has written an interesting account of her experiences teaching a boy with undiagnosed selective mutism. Above all else, she stresses the importance of recognizing the disorder in children so that the problem can be addressed. Although selective mutism is more prevalent than obsessive-compulsive disorder and Tourette's syndrome, it often goes undiagnosed.

Below are some tips for teachers of students with selective mutism according to Dame.

• Remove all pressure on the student to speak.
  
  
  
• Let the child know you will not call on him unless his hand is raised.
  
  
  
• Do not comment about his silence or make a big deal out of it if he does speak.
  
  
  
• Be aware that the student cannot ask you for help. Quietly review material and instructions if it seems the student does not understand.

Photo © Microsoft