To talk or not to talk=?

[fighting4]

I am going to be really honest here and say that I am afraid to talk to people. Like it scares the crap out of me. It's like this weird thing where if I want to talk to people I become afraid that I will become afraid. I mean that if I go to talk to someone I start thinking about how I will not be able to keep eye contact and I might blush, or I will get nervous and say something I don't mean to say (to be more accurate, I say things in ways I don't mean to say them) or any other sign of shyness that could come to your mind.

I have tried many things and though some of them have worked a little bit I am still not able to start conversations with people easily, and most of the time I never start them at all.

Can anyone help me, please? Any advice or any tricks that help? I have tried many of them, and I know some them work, but I need something that will help me in the long run.

[precious_babae]

Seems as if you are locking yourself too tight inside. Open up, its okay. Some people think its cute if you blush or get embarrassed or mess up. Thats what sparks conversation. Let loose, if you stress about stuff this simple, your gona have a heart attack at the age of 30

[danigurlx90x]

I am the same way. I have major social anxiety (but havent been diagnosed yet). I'm going to see a pshychologist soon. I am gonna be a sophomore in High School and I will have no friends, just like last year. And the year before. I sit alone at lunch all the time. I have absolutly zero friends because I dont have good social skills and because I HATE talkint to people. I dont know what to do.. like look them in the eye? Or stare down at tehir shoes? I dont know. I know exacly how you feel. You probably have it better then me though, you probly have friends.

[Chesnick]

Seeing a therapist is a good idea. Social anxiety disorders are very real, and very common, and they can be treated painlessley by professionals. I know it might seem like there is something wrong with you, but the truth is that it's all psychological stuff; associations and conditioning and reinforcements. Talk to a counselor or therapist about it, and you will feel much more confident.

[fighting4]

Thank you for all your replies. I have been thinking a lot since I wrote this last night and I have realized something I didn't want to realize- I have a void in my life and I have been trying to get other people to fill it. I kept telling myself that if I had more friends and/or a girlfriend that it would make me happy. I don't believe this is true.

Instead of going around always trying to make friends, I am going to work on filling that void in my life. And hopefully friends will follow.

danigurlx90x, I suggest you do the same. Try different clubs and interest groups and sports *that require you to leave your home* Stop looking for other people to make you happy and make yourself happy, by keeping busy with things you enjoy. If you're not really sure what you enjoy, don't worry. I don't either, but I'm going to go find out.

Again, thank you everyone. You really helped me get something off my chest.