OK, a little background information: I've had social anxiety throughout my teen years (since 13 I think, I'm 18 now), and during these years I've done anything possible to avoid socialising with others, saying very little in social situations, generally being the outcast etc. Now I've come to realise this has become part of my personality, whether I feel anxious or not. I've been like this for so long, I've forgotten how to be normal.
I'm at university now, living in halls with 5 others. I have improved slightly and I actually want to be social now. I'm quite lucky that my flatmates are friendly to me and still invite me out with them, even though I'm really quiet. However, my problem is that I CAN'T talk to people, even if I want to. When there's a discussion with several people, I think "OK phil, contribute something to the conversation" but I just can't, my mind is totally blank. I'm certain it's not just anxiety (although I do still have SA). Even when I'm completely drunk (I'm at uni, it happens ) I still can't think of anything to say. It's like I have no opinion on anything, or I lack a personality.
Is anyone else like this? Is it reversible? I really don't want to be like this forever. It's so depressing that I can't communicate with people. I just want to be a friendly, chatty person.
I'm at university now, living in halls with 5 others. I have improved slightly and I actually want to be social now. I'm quite lucky that my flatmates are friendly to me and still invite me out with them, even though I'm really quiet. However, my problem is that I CAN'T talk to people, even if I want to. When there's a discussion with several people, I think "OK phil, contribute something to the conversation" but I just can't, my mind is totally blank. I'm certain it's not just anxiety (although I do still have SA). Even when I'm completely drunk (I'm at uni, it happens ) I still can't think of anything to say. It's like I have no opinion on anything, or I lack a personality.
Is anyone else like this? Is it reversible? I really don't want to be like this forever. It's so depressing that I can't communicate with people. I just want to be a friendly, chatty person.