Get over this social anxiety or whatever it is I have

But I’m still shy.

after today, it’s not too much of an issue.

i have the therapists word, its an issue.
now all i need to do is learn to cope…heh…wish me luck

It is “The Shyness and Social Anxiety Workbook” by Antony and Swinson. Another great book is a the classic Dale Carnegie “how to stop worrying and start living” Best wishes for a successful journey!

I struggle with this too. Although, I used a workbook and attended an eight week course (1 day a week) and both things really helped me get a better understanding. The good news is that social anxiety is treatable, the bad news is that the treat requires going out in public and challenging those fears. It is good news really as you “practice” more the easier it becomes! with my debt I consolidated and placed myself on a cash only system. Now even though I have a monthly payment I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. The best us humans can do is one step at a time. Until I got that I was like a hampster on his wheel…nice to jump off and relax! Did you know that the trademark of people with social anxiety are excessive worriers? Thats me to a T. You are doing the right stuff, it will pay off. Cheers!

I’m so worried about money, and these stupid debts, and what I’m going to do with my life, and blah blah blah… I’m worried about stuff I shouldn’t be worried about. I just want to be alone, but nobody around here will leave me alone.

OK, well, I’ve been trying to meet with this friend of mine for a while now, and FINALLY I get an opportunity, but it gets ruined. Why? Because my sister and/or her husband are at home the same times I will be at home. I have a tough time trying to talk to women when someone else is around able to hear me. It just seems like fate is playing a joke on me. OK, yesterday, I get home at 5 from work, same time my sister does. But not only did I feel like crap, I wasn’t home alone. And today too. My sister doesn’t work until 5:00pm and 10:00pm, and her husband gets home at 5:30pm. (You have to also understand that I do not have a private room here, I basically LIVE in the living room, if I did have a private room, this would not be a problem). It’s almost as if everything is falling into place to screw me up. And I don’t want to keep messaging her that we can’t meet today, or “oh, how about we meet tomorrow or monday or blah blah?”... yeah, last time I did that shit I was called “needy.” What the hell? It’s like, I have to try, but I can’t try. I don’t get it. She probably thinks I hate her and don’t want to see her because I haven’t called her. Or if I do call her out of nowhere, even though she can’t come see me, I’m being too needy.

Maybe I should just wait for the next viable opportunity. What should I do? GRR! I can’t stand it.

Thanks guys. It seems to be much easier to talk to people lately. It’s starting to feel like less and less of a burden…

Before you know it, I could be knocking out this, this, this, and maybe even this this!

...is there something wrong with me? I sometimes wonder if I’m clinically depressed or have a social anxiety disorder or what… I wish I could just wear a shirt that says “I Get Anxious” so people can bear with me when I try to socialize with them. I always get this feeling from people like “Oh, here comes this loser trying to talk to me” and will… even on IRC channels I get paranoid if someone doesn’t respond to me, or if I notice someone’s idle times are low… are they talking about me? Why aren’t they talking to me?

It’s so frustrating!