Social anxiety ruining my life...?
478141
It sounds like you may have some self-esteem issues as well as social anxiety.  Maybe you need to request to a therapist that you focus on your self-esteem and assertiveness and by focusing more on that, I'm sure you can overcome your social anxiety without even having to resort to medications.
961101
I have exactly the same problem.   I was teased because we were poor and I had buck teeth and wierd hair.  My last job, I worked with a young man and a woman about 8 years younger than me and they completely ignored me.  They didn't even include me in job-related conversations.  I have never fit in anywhere.  Are you straight and religious?  I have found that a lot of places where I go, people are mostly talking about bars and sports and stupid things so I don't talk to them and they don't talk to me either!  I was told I have social anxiety and I believe that our problems lie somewhere in not really caring if we talk to anybody, but yet we want attention.  We don't have the confidence that people will be interested in what we say.  I always figure how many people would be interested in somebody like me who is a bookworm, does not do anything but think about how to decorate my kitchen or where to plant my next rosebush.        I don't know.  I think we need to find happiness in ourselves and be happy who we are.  Sometimes you have to just push yourself in to other people's cliques at least just for a moment to let them know you are not stuck up (maybe that's what they think).  If people cannot look past another person's looks or have empathy for a quiet person, then they are not worth having as a friend anyway.  By the way, I am also the person left sitting alone during breaks when I am taking a class or whatever.  It is what we choose or we wouldn't be sitting there.  I just don't like to go outside where everybody else is smoking, etc.
1064485
How about anything that will put you in social situations. Im not saying that to be mean, Im just saying that shyness is not something you need to just live with. Break free of it. I was extremely shy just a few years ago. I overcame this by becoming an xray tech. I know its not a glamorous job, but I it has helped. When you are around people screaming in pain all day long, the last thing on your mind is saying the wrong thing. I can talk freely to anyone now. Think about it.
517803
I used to be like this.  Every time I had to give a speech in high school I almost threw up- I would sweat and shake, and I thought everyone was talking about me.  (which they used to for years)  I was afraid to pay for gas inside, talk to customer service on the phone, and sit next to people in waiting rooms.\n\nI just got angry and decided one day that I didn't care what anyone else thought of me.  I think social phobia/social anxiety disorder has a lot to do with low self-esteem.  Instead of thinking that they were better than me, I thought that I was better than them.  As concieted as this sounds, it actually helped, because my self-esteem was so low that it brought it up to where I felt equal.  I dont' actually think that I'm better than others, just that they are no better than me and vice versa.\n\nIf that doesn't help, counseling may.  Having a neutral advocate helps.  Meds aren't good news for teens.... they can cause it to be worse, and have more side effects.
403000
Do something and increase your self confidence.When talking don't too fast take your time and let the words come out.Those who laugh at you aren't worthy of being called friends.I know I had this problem too,still have it but not so evident.Hope this helps.
762067
My fiance has social anxiety and I know how hard it feels sometimes. Aware of everything bad that you are doing that nothing good can come out of some social event. But it is curable so it's worth fighting! :)\nSee this site, it might help you see that you are not alone, you will find people with same problems there, and chat with them.\n\nwww.socialanxietysupport.com\n\nAnd if you need somebody to talk to more, feel free to write me an email, i would be glad to help...\nlina_girl06@yahoo.com
307066
I don't know what it is exactly but it seems like you may have  some anxiety issues surrounding social interaction and maybe some negative self talk. The best way to deal with both things is to surround yourself with positive people whom you feel comfortable with and just relax and enjoy life. Think about your strengths and less about your weakneses. Life isn't an IQ test.
803818
Im the same way. I have a social anxiety disorder.  When Im drinking Im a social butterfly.
780580
Talk to your doctor about your anxiety.  There are several medications on the market that can control the symptoms and allow you to have a normal life.  Your doctor may even have a suggestion for a therapist you can work with to learn to modify your reactions to the anxiety.  If your doctor doesn't have a suggestion ... open the phone and start calling therapists, counselors, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists until you find one that works with anxiety-related problems.\n\nSome of the things you can try on your own are:\n\n#1 -- Start journaling, if you don't already.  Carry a notebook with you and jot down all of your random thoughts and fears in the notebook, especially when you start to get the anxious feelings.  Abuse the heck out of the notebook instead of yourself.  Then once a day or once a week (or even never), whenever you are in a safe place that you don't have anxiety symptoms -- read back through what you've written to see if you can find the source of your anxiety.  Work on that source.\n\n#2 -- Turn off the voice in your head.  I know that sounds silly, but that's exactly what I had to do when my anxiety was/is out-of-control.  I literally lock myself in my car or a bathroom stall or my bedroom and I tell the voice:  "Shut-up!  You are lying.  I am _____ (a positive angle for whatever your particular anxiety is)."  Repeat your new-found mantra as often as you want to turn off the voice in your head.  That voice is still there and it still talks to me, but I don't have to listen to its lies.  :)\n\nGood luck!
437936
Hi Pablo, I too suffer from social anxiety.Believe me I understand your frustration and sadness about it. Ok well, firstly I have to tell you that as a result in doing drugs -you have created an imbalance in your brain. I know this cos i did drugs for years to hide from my problems. This rapidly reduced the seratonin in my brain. You need seratonin to feel happiness. Anyway, the point of telling you that, is that you may need to take a short dose of seratonin tablets. Lexapro is especially used for panic disorders and anxiety.(ive started it myself recently and it is working) I didnt agree with tablets either for the same reason as yourself, but the point is, the reason youre feeling like this is because of a chemical imbalance.\nSome things that will help you in the mean time are: You have to cut out coffee and sugary foods from your diet. Cut down on alcohol also. This is just for a little while. These things actually make you feel more anxious.\nIf you are feeling particularly anxious, the best thing to do is go for a power walk. Exercise really helps get rid of that anxious feeling.\nYou need to go to a cognitive therapist then, to help you find out why you feel like this in social situations.You know,get to the root of the problem.The cognitive therapist will tell you how to control your anxiety and what triggers this etc.\nThen you need to join a group of people that are going through the same thing as yourself. It will make it easier to go to group therapy ( your cog.therapist will probably refer you later on)until you feel comfortable in social situations.\nI know its daunting..but youve made the first positive step by asking for help. It is a long road, but you will make it through. You are not alone in feeling like this.\nPlease get help as soon as you can because, it can get worse over time. I made the mistake of thinking that i could get over it myself, but over 5 yrs it got progressively worse. \nI wish you all the luck in the world. Feel free to pm me as i am going through the daily battle of social anxiety myself.\nCheck out the website below to give you an idea that others feel as you do
530061
Take a public speaking class. I had really bad anxiety attacks when I had to do this, but after taking a public speaking class I do fine at it!
588166
try going out with your friends more. be more social. I know..easier said than done. But if you want to be less paranoid of your gf, go out. And with her regularly.
170465
I get that too all the time.  Its called social anxiety disorder.  I have to take meds for mine.  Mostly xanax.  I totally know what you are going through and it can be very embarrassing.  If you need to talk more, my email is ivegtaluckystar1@yahoo.com.
770580
Do some self assertion classes, they really help you cope with shyness...;\n\nSteer clear of the alcohol suggestion, you could end up with more problems than just shyness!!!
69357
Hi LittleLisa,\n  Being shy is a good thing, but if your too shy and have difficulties making friends, may I suggest you take a acting, speaking or singing class, either at school or afterschool. It will be a little hard at first, but as each day goes by you will become less and less shy. Before you know it you will be chatting up a storm with everyone and anyone. Hopefully not to the point where people are saying, "Oh shut up Lisa." Go get'em Lisa.
514442
The most important thing to remember is that people can't see how you feel on the inside, they only see what's on the outside thus you may end up judging yourself more than others do which just leads to more shyness.\n\nTry these techniques:\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/social-anxiety-disorder/DS00595/DSECTION=9
394033
You didn't give enough information about yourself but you may be suffering from "social anxiety disorder". Look it up on the internet and if the symptoms fit your description, there are medications that can help. I've had a lot of success with and prescribe a beta blocker called "propranolol". I tell my patients to take it before they give a speech or engage in social events. The medication helps but the real treatment is psychotherapy...