I have social phobia and I want to overcome it?

Question

I DO NOT want to be one of those people who feel sorry for themselves and use their condition as a reason for self pity. I want to be able to be myself in all situations and not have to worry about if other people thinks I'm weird or ugly, I hate it! But I can't throw myself into extreme phobic situations either, because that only enhances my fear. So I want to know, how do I overcome this?

Answer 1

There's no cure for that. Join the club.

Answer 2

I have the same thing, except less severe. As does my brother.

Start small. If you have trusted friends, start going out with them. Act like you are comfortable with social situations and soon this with feel normal.

My mom was the same way when she was in school. She was shy and didn't like meeting new people. Now, she loves going out and talking to new people. Her solution? She put herself out there. Yeah, its going to be awkward and scary at first, but practice will help with that.

I am on my way to a more comfortable feeling when around people. I have started going out and asking my friends to introduce me to new people. Its working so far.

Good luck.

Answer 3

Stop giving importance to your social phobia and except who you are and what you like and don't like. i don't like socializing and i be damned if i let it worry me to death.

Not everone is a celebraty or out going and those that are problably wish they weren't like Brittney Spears and Amy Winehouse who are always getting into trouble'

Believe me your normal but letting it get to you is not.

Answer 4

Getting over social phobia is a step by step thing. You may never actually overcome it but there are ways to make it less severe so it won't consume your life. Try to start with daily things like supermarkets, corner stores, and work your way up. Try to reach out a little more even if your scared, because that's okay everyone is. Join clubs that you might be interested in and keep a journal to write down how you are feeling each day. Good luck, I understand how your feeling. :]

Answer 5

Talk to a therapist. There's no medication or anything that cures it right off the bat. You need to take it slowly and step by step. Get some really good friends who will stick by you and help you.

Answer 6

Well, to start, you're in a good position. Most people seem to realize they have it and get more depressed. You have that determination and that drive to not want to be socially scared.

Don't go running into phobic situations just yet. Baby steps is the key. Start with some friends. Just re-enforce your determination and show yourself you want to become more social and less scared, I used to be just as scared, and was scared that I'd become a complete loner and die alone.

You can try some simple forced socialization first. Maybe go to the store or a  7/11 and remember to try to strike up a small talk conversation with the clerk, (don't hold up the line though)

Anything, from "Great weather" to "How are you doin' today?"

You can work your way up to manual socialization by saying things to passer-by's in the store. It's just small steps and you just work your way up until you realize out of  nowhere you want to become a public speaker! Haha. :D

Good luck my friend.

Answer 7

hey first of all i want you to know you arent alone..

there are millions of people with the same problem.

i have had panic attacks generalised anxiety disorder agoriaphobia and a personal disorder for 7 years and im only 22 now.

only in the past 6 months i have started to get help and at first i thought this is not helping at all. but it does.

if you have a close family member talk to them about it and i found if you let your close friends and famlily know it will make you feel better and not have to hide your phobia.

if you google your phobia it will bring up a lot of helpfull stuff and if u google help near where u live it WILL bring up places near you where you can get help.

but u also have to remember that people wont fiz you they can help you BUT the phobia you have gets created in your head so u will be the one that has to recondition the way you think and with the help of a phyciarist you will and can do it.

try to think positive and i know its easy for someone to say it but its a different story doing it trust me i do the same thing but like i said with a little bit of help and support you can and will re-train your brain to do so.

but you have to want to helpyouself because if u want other people to do it for you it want happen i know its hard its still hard for me but im getting there and you will to.

if you want to ask me any other questions or just want to talk about your phobia im willing to help.

like i said ive have 4 diff phobias so i know what you are going through.

YOU WILL BE FINE AND YOU WILL GET BETTER

hope to hear back from you

and remember smile and the world smiles with you.

Answer 8

i had the same problem. you have to face your fear and put yourself in situations that you usually shy away from in order to conquer it. it's the only thing that worked for me. you are letting your fear control you.  

Answer 9

I used to have this problem, too. The only way around a fear is through it. You will be akward at first, but that will change when you gain some confidence in these situations. The key is exposure to your phobia, often and frequent. The more exposure, the more you learn to adapt. Give yourself some credit, you can do this!