Can I just avoid situations that trigger my social phobia symptoms?

Avoidance of situations that trigger the symptoms of social phobias is not a good long-term strategy for managing these disorders. While avoiding anxiety-provoking situations may keep you from having symptoms, the anxiety doesn't really go away. Treatment can help you make problematic social situations more pleasant and symptom free, so that you can function more comfortably without having to miss out on participating in your life.