Bad social skills or Social anxiety?
927977
I have the same problem, but I try to limit talking to anyone online though because thats just me. I know a lot of people tell me once you get out of high school you "break out of that shell". \n\nI am going to get a job which requires customer service and social skills though, I think if I know I have to, I'll be able to build the skill of talking a lot.\n\nIf you mumble, or stutter, or stumble on the words when you talk to people just think before you say something because I know when I try to say something really fast and then I forget I always stumble on the words lol.\n\nHope this helps :)
173466
I use to be really really shy too! But one day it hit me that when people firts meet you they have NO IDEA who you are, so you can make yourself who ever you want to be weather its shy or outgoing. And I attempted it one day and made myself an outgoing person by taking the first step in asking all kind of questions (believe me I was soo nervouse because of my shyness) and by the time I knew I was able to talk to those people with no probelms and people would refer to me as a social butterfly but little did they know I was very shy. Well in time I really did become the social butterfly it just took some time and it took some working at. Be patient but learn to take steps. And those steps could be your the first one to speak up or out. If you always the first to do something you will overcome your shyness thats why I did and now I am leader. Good Luck and dont let shyness overcome you.
1064652
You might want to check out information on Social Phobia. This is one of the most common forms of anxiety disorders (more common than Agoraphobia). Over 7% of the population suffers from social anxiety disorder.\n\nIf you have social phobia you usually worry that others will notice your anxiety because of your blushing, sweating, shaking, or difficulty getting your words out, (for example).\n\nOther fears triggered by social situations include:\n\n    * I'll look uncomfortable or awkward\n    * I'll seem weird or strange\n    * I'll appear stupid or incompetent\n    * I'll look embarrassed\n    * I'll be boring\n\nThese fears tend to be triggered when just anticipating the social situation. You may also have noticed that, after the event, you often feel bad or worse when thinking about how you "performed". How you actually felt in the situation can play a big role in this "post-mortem". \n\nThe Social Phobia/Social Anxiety Association, a non-profit organization, seeks to educate about social phobia:\nhttp://www.socialphobia.org/\n\nThey list some good self help books here:\nhttp://www.socialanxietyinstitute.org/bookstore.html\n\nYou should talk with your doctor and ask for a referral to a psychologist who specailizes in Anxiety Disorders.
97619
Just a guess, but for most of us, social skills slip a bit at night and we are less concerned with the impact we have on others because we are tired. Social skills are more learned than some other skills that require our emotions and things we have learned are available because we practice them, not because they are innate. When we are fatigued our opinion of ourself and others slips a bit and so does our control of our behavior.
959340
I think you have anxiety attacks.....or maybe if related to social situations it's social phobia. \nSymptoms are:\nRepeated episodes of intense fear that strike often and without warning. \nChest pain \nHeart palpitations \nShortness of breath \nDizziness \nAbdominal distress \nFeelings of unreality, and fear of dying \nFatigue \nTrembling \nMuscle tension \nHeadache \nNausea \n\nAre some social situations bothering you? Do you feel all these symptoms? If so, don't feel scared...you just gave a name for it, but it is curable so you better find some psychologist to talk to, he would find a good way to over come this. My fiancee suffers from social phobia, and it isn't easy but he is battling it and now feels much better :) If you have social phobia, visit this site, i think it could help you a lot:\nwww.socialanxietysupport.com\nAnd if you need someone to talk to, feel free to write me an email:\nlina_girl06@yahoo.com\n\nGood luck! And hang in there!
208059
Are you kidding?\nSocial skills are the result of socializing!
927563
From your description, I would say that you have agoraphobia, which is a more common and powerful mental illness than most people think and thus needs to be treated like any other mental illness - i.e. with psychiatric discourse and medications.\n\nDon't listen to anyone who tells you that you are just shy, because you are an adult, and shyness is just a temporary child to teenage phase that goes away in adulthood like minor speech impediments or sexual inhibitions.\n\nThere is a big difference between shyness and mental illness, and shyness or even anti-social behavior is usually not nearly as serious and life-altering as what you are going through.\n\nIf you want to try alternative medicine to help yourself, then I suggest the following websites promoting alternative therapies for social anxiety or agoraphobia.
579485
Ocean, first off, don't listen to your friends. Just because society pushes the idea of being involved or married doesn't mean you need to buy into it. Being single is fast becoming a popular alternative lifestyle.\nNow, I will say that if you desire to ALWAYS be alone and live like a hermit, then yes, you might have some form of social anxiety disorder.  However, this does not sound like the case.  If you are fine, happy, and truly comfortable with the lifestyle you have chosen, then stick with it.  Don't let others push you into a lifestyle you are not happy with.
840143
I know how you feel, many people do.  I get anxious about being around people I am unfamiliar with.  As for starting new things, I've just found that it gets better with practice.  The more new things you can get yourself to do (start small) the easier these things will become.  When you do acomplish something, give yourself praise for summing up courage.  \n\nThis does sound like social anxiety disorder.  My psychology professor said that a great first step in conquering S.A.D. is by simply smiling or saying hello to people as you pass them (like at a park, or in your neighborhood).
398670
Info and links that may help :-)\n\nAccording to a 1998 study called the National Comorbidity Survey, conducted by Ronald Kessler, PhD, at Harvard Medical School, more than 13% of Americans experience the symptoms of social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. The same survey found that at any given time, a startling 4.5% of the population meets the diagnostic criteria, making social anxiety disorder the third most common mental disorder in the nation, after depression and alcoholism. Experts like R. Bruce Lydiard, MD, professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina, applaud the new attention being given to social phobia. "The biggest problem we face is reaching these patients," he says. "Many are too afraid to see a doctor."\nhttp://www.webmd.com/content/article/13/1674_50379.htm\n\nLinks:\nhttps://www.shynesscurve.com/curve/index.asp\nhttp://www.socialanxiety.com/index.html
86030
It depends on how severe the fear is, if it is very mild it could be classified as social anxiety disorder or if it is extreme it would be agoraphobia.
953686
A mental problem? Not even close! You sound like you are simply preoccupied or experiencing anxiety about your next task or place to be . Try this, The next time you are walking to a class or any place you have to be,YOU start a very simple conversation with the person you are with. It could be the weather or a job , just small talk . Even plan out what you want to say before hand and just take one word or sentence at a time. Work on relaxing and no " tough" topics that can cause anxiety.\n\nSee if this helps and most important don't build this up to be "Oh no there is something wrong with me". because there is not .\n\nWe all have some funky thing about us that makes us unique. I have trouble putting sequences together sometimes. If somebody asks me about a movie that I saw I have a hard time explaining the movie because  I have trouble putting things in sequence and vocalizing them but then again I can play complex classical music on the guitar so maybe I'm autistic, who knows? But your OK . Just relax..
674636
My best girlfriend has this.She can't come to parties or any gatherings because of it.She has been seeing a psycologist and it helps her.Here is more info if you need it. \n\nWhat is social anxiety disorder?\n\nSocial anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is a psychological condition that causes an overwhelming fear of social situations that require interacting with or performing in front of others. It is different than being shy, introverted, or experiencing the normal anxiety before public speaking—the fear is that you will somehow embarrass yourself with what you say or do in public. Social anxiety disorder causes relentless fear, often beginning days or weeks before an event, and often triggers physical symptoms such as blushing, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty concentrating. Social anxiety disorder significantly impacts a person's daily life. It may even cause withdrawal from social activities and missed work or school. \n\nWhat causes social anxiety disorder?\nAlthough the exact cause of social anxiety is not known, it may run in families either as a genetic factor or as a learned response developed after experiencing a particularly humiliating situation.\n\nWhat are the symptoms of social anxiety disorder?\nSocial anxiety disorder has both emotional and physical symptoms. Emotionally, you may feel anxious, sad, irritable, and easily startled in anticipation of or during a social event. You may worry excessively or fear something bad is going to happen. This anxiety can cause physical symptoms, such as blushing, sweating, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty concentrating.\n\nHow is social anxiety disorder diagnosed?\nSocial anxiety disorder is diagnosed based on your history of symptoms, a physical exam, and a mental health assessment, which involves an evaluation of psychological symptoms.\n\nBlood or urine tests may also be done to rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar symptoms (such as an overactive thyroid).\n\nHow is social anxiety disorder treated?\nTreatment of social anxiety disorder includes professional counseling and sometimes medications (such as antidepressants), depending on the degree to which your symptoms are impacting your daily life. Social anxiety disorder can be generalized—meaning you fear most social situations—or your fears may be limited to one or a few social situations. The more social fears you have, the more debilitating the condition, and the more difficult it can be to treat.\n\nSubstance abuse problems or depression often accompanies social anxiety disorder. When other psychological conditions occur with social anxiety disorder, additional treatment is needed for those conditions.
451208
Sounds like you might need medication for both. Certainly the anxiety. Medication in combination with individual/group therapy could be beneficial to you.
125477
Rather than label your problem and tell you to get therapy, I would like to give you hope. I have a good friend who has similar issues that your describe. He has great difficulty with intimacy and is close to only a few people outside of immediate relatives. He has not dated in years. How does he handle the problem? He developed a trusting friendship with me and I give him the support he needs anytime he calls. Does he think he is attractive? Probably not. Is his self-esteem low? Maybe...but the key to his willingness to work on his problem is knowing he has one person that no matter what will always be on his side. \n\nOne of the biggest things that I could recommend is opening up to someone. Rather than think you are ugly (something that may never go away), recognize that ugliness is YOUR PERCEPTION. The love of a friend looks beyond the outside. If you put this trust in your friend (or friends) and possibly consider taking a medication for the anxiety (that is what you are describing), you can slowly emerge from the self absorption that is distressing you. \n\nRemember, no one finds love or overcomes loneliness without giving to another. There is someone out there that wants to give to you. Try it little by little. \n\nWorse case scenario: What is the worst thing that someone could say to you? If you aren't sure or if the answer sounds ridiculous as you write it down...consider a social anxiety disorder. No matter how strong you are, being anxious can paralyze your efforts. Address the real problem and you will find your answers one by one.\n\nGood luck friend. I take care of my friends.
1072458
i have almost exactly the same problem. what i'm trying to do is to be more talkative and loud around my friends so that i get comfortable with it, then i hope i'll be more talkative in general, even with people who arent my really good friends.
456368
That sounds like social anxiety. Talk to your doctor. You may need Xanax or some other medicine to help you with your anxiety.