I think i have social anxiety

[confusedguy]

I think i need help. It is very hard for me to communicate especially with people that i barely know/talk to. But its REALLY complicated for me to talk to strangers/girls. Ive read around about social anxiety and i really do think i have it. This is what i really have trouble with

Examples of Feared Performance Situations in Social Anxiety Disorder:
• Public speaking• Talking in meetings or classes
• Participating in sports or working out in front of others• Performing music or acting on stage
• Writing in front of others
• Eating or drinking in front of others
• Using public restrooms when other people are nearby• Making mistakes in front of others• Being in public areas such as a shopping mall or a bus

i used to be a really outgoing kid and a joker i made everyone laugh including my teachers/friends/relatives now its like im on a different planet. I dont know what to say anymore i think i've lost my sense of humour and my confidence in talk to girls. But what really scares me is if someone makes me snap on them i fear that i am going to kill them thats how much this social bullshit has me bottled up

[byee]

To some extent, I think everyone has social anxiety, so going thru one of those check lists to see if you've got it isn't going to be very revealing, or valid, ftm.

If you were once more comfortable socially than you now are, that means you have the skills and abilities to continue being that way. People typically don't lose an ability they once had. So, the q becomes what happened to you that you can no longer use those skills? What's blocking your ability to access them? Maybe you've lost touch with them b/c you're focuing on the newness of the situations you're finding yourself in.

People often talk themselves into problems, they're convinced that there's something 'wrong' with them b/c they can't talk with girls or approach new people in new situations. However, i think it's fairly normal to feel awkward and unsure doing something precisely b/c it IS so new. It takes time and practice to make it familiar, and to get used to these situations, to make them feel 'normal'.

Focus on your skills and abilities, the stuff inside you that is a part of you, that have always been there and are available to you, not the 'newness' of the situation and you might feel more confident, and things might go better for you. You need to practice using those 'old' skills in the 'new' situations, you need some practice here, to make it feel more 'normal'.

[DarkWingedAngel]

To some extent, I think everyone has social anxiety, so going thru one of those check lists to see if you've got it isn't going to be very revealing, or valid, ftm.

If you were once more comfortable socially than you now are, that means you have the skills and abilities to continue being that way. People typically don't lose an ability they once had. So, the q becomes what happened to you that you can no longer use those skills? What's blocking your ability to access them? Maybe you've lost touch with them b/c you're focuing on the newness of the situations you're finding yourself in.

People often talk themselves into problems, they're convinced that there's something 'wrong' with them b/c they can't talk with girls or approach new people in new situations. However, i think it's fairly normal to feel awkward and unsure doing something precisely b/c it IS so new. It takes time and practice to make it familiar, and to get used to these situations, to make them feel 'normal'.

Focus on your skills and abilities, the stuff inside you that is a part of you, that have always been there and are available to you, not the 'newness' of the situation and you might feel more confident, and things might go better for you. You need to practice using those 'old' skills in the 'new' situations, you need some practice here, to make it feel more 'normal'.

i go with what u said

[Never_Forget]

Most people are like that, me especially =/ Unless I'm with a friend.. 'cause then I just get hyper and.. you know... Anyway, if you think you have social anxiety, try hanging around in public with a friend. see if you feel any better. If so, you're probably just shy or... well, this defeats the point of my post but.. anxious about what people think/may think about you. Don't worry 'bout it =]

EDIT: Sam, (sam club yeah =]) Define normal.