This is probably the most challenging time of the year for those who describe themselves as shy. We now all have to start gearing up for the whirl of invitations and obligatory attendance at social events that Christmas brings.Is there a cure for shyness? That's not possible because shyness is not a psychiatric disorder or illness - it appears to have a relatively heavy genetic loading.In other words, although shy people can learn to manage their social anxiety, their shyness will usually remain.A skilled cognitive behaviour therapist can help but it is often enough for someone who is shy to realise that this is just one aspect of their personality and not something they need to feel ashamed of or obliged to change.Once they feel able to accept it, anxiety about their shyness tends to disappear. ..