How to get help for social anxiety?

[ReginaGeorge]

I'm really quite sure I have social anxiety, I've only kind of realized it's not just shyness, but I've had symptoms for ages, it's just the physical symptoms have probably gotten worse the last year-ish, I guess. It interferes with my life, the worse affect is probably not being able to talk to teachers or make new friends very well.

I don't know what to do from here now that I've recognized this. I mean most people will recommend tell a parent, tell school counselor, tell your local doctor and get meds/referral to a therapist etc, but how do I do this?

1) How do I share this when I have extreme difficulty sharing my feelings and talking to people "above" me, or just new?
2) How do I get my Mum to take me seriously.
3) How am I supposed to a doctor if I shut down and can't explain?
4) How am I supposed to talk to a therapist if I'm paranoid that she'll under estimate how I feel, and I've never met her and most people I haven't met are hard to talk to?
5) How am I supposed to do this?
6) What can I expect my local doctor to do?

Can people please explain personal experiences of reaching out for the first time?

[Syvelocin]

Well, by the time the social anxiety even hit, let alone when it was at its most potent, I had already been in therapy off and on since I was eight or so. Used to the incessant questioning though not always cooperative. So basically, I just told my psychiatrist during the other med check-ups and she asked some questions, diagnosed me both OCD and SAD, and gave me some Zoloft. :P

1. Well, I'll recommend getting this idea of "above you" out of your head. No one is above you. I know that's not the source, but that thought is probably not helping.

Second, the thing you have to understand at least about doctors and therapists is that they are not your friend. The good ones will be 0% judgemental and they are there for you and ONLY for you. I actually find it easier to talk to my therapist than anyone else in my life because they are a non-biased outlet. No matter what you say to them, it won't affect your personal life. Rationally, it should be worry-free.

2. Well, I don't know about that one. Why won't she take you seriously is the question though?

3, 4. Have you tried e-mailing or writing a letter instead? It's loads easier. Some of my therapy sessions will even consist of me reading a journal entry I wrote the day before. I've even done that before with serious conversations with a teacher. It's much more comfortable for me. And even though I'm pretty used to therapy now, I still have to do it sometimes when I want to talk to her about something more difficult. In fact, I'm doing that on Thursday, haha.

Or if you don't want to read it, I've had a few therapists I'd just give my whole journal or specific entry and they'd read it between sessions.

6. They're pretty neutral, but yeah, basically they can recommend some good therapists, psychiatrists. I've never spoke with my doctor about anything other than the occasional time she'd ask me about my self-harm.

[TopThrill]

All I have to say is to take baby steps. The guys above me has more experience than I do, but here's what I gotta say. Build your relationships with parents and friends slowly. Start with small talk. Even if it's just saying hi in the hallway, it's progress. Build on your small victories and start trusting others with more and more. Whatever pace you need to go at, just be confident you can follow the pace. Good luck, and I hope you live a happier life with my advice!

[baseballfan]

Take it one step at a time and confide in trusted friends