Well I haven't been to a doctor but I'm sure I've got it. Anything that deals with the public is very hard for me. Some days I'd rather walk over hot coals than deal with anybody I don't know or have to go anywhere like "Wal-Mart" or town. Heck I can't even go out with my friends unless I have a drink or something to ease my mind. Than again on some days I'm fine and I have no fear at all and nothing bothers me. So I'm thinking you either have it or you don't, but the more I think about it I guess there is a "in between"??? maybe? So I was wondering what tips do you guys have or advice? It is pretty much ruining my social life and romance life. I'm 24 and can't even ask a girl her name let alone look her in the face for fear something is wrong or what her reaction might be! God forbid somebody walks up and talks to me in a public place lol! So you kinda understand my situation here? Thanks for looking :wave:

I can sympathize with you Pillbox. I'm not quite as bad as you describe. I can go out to places like Wal-Mart or social events and not be scared or want to leave. My problem is with people 1 on 1. If I don't know someone I'm usually anxious and very shy. I won't introduce myself first and usually look down when passing ppl in hallways or meeting them. As for girls, that is the worst. I'll see ones I like and would love to talk to, but I won't for fear of rejection or her laughing at me. I don't truly think everything is wrong with me, but when the situation arises all my fears are amplified with new ones created. Then after the situation passes I beat myself up for not saying/doing anything.

I'm trying to work on it but it is hard. Right now I'm trying to work on eye contact and just saying hi to people I see, even if I don't know them. Hopefully I can work up to being better in social situations and esp with woman.

How do others deal with this?

I'm not always that bad in places like Wal Mart or in town. I mean somedays yes I would rather not go out in public and I'm anxious all day. Then some days I don't know what it is I can go out in the public and not have a worry at all. I'm thinking it's some kind of brain chemical thing, does this make sense? But as for the girls I'm always anxious and shy around them. I guess it's just the fear of rejection or what she will think. But as you say Chaos I'm working on that also. It's just very hard hehe :)