i'm new here hello anyone help?

[doctor_who]

I believe I have Social Anxiety. I can't speak to people who I am unfamiliar, I just go all quiet and my heart rate increases if someone I don't know asks me a question. I have no idea of how to overcome this, I've tried like small baby steps like asking a shop assistant how they are doing and tried to go to drama but I stopped going cause felt like I was going to be sick all the time. I am not some teenager either, I am going to be 21 next month and feel so stupid that I lack the social skills needed to make friends, I just isolate myself. I find this to be annoying because I am able to chat to my family and my boyfriend but anyone else I can't seem to talk to, its like ive forgotten how to speak. I am training to be a nurse and will qualify in 18 months, I feel like I can speak to patients because I am in my uniform and I feel safe so have no bother when I go onto placements, its just on my day to day life. I feel as though I have no friends, the people I hang with at university always try to invite me out and I can't go because I freeze and don't enjoy social gathering unless I have a few drinks in me and that's not a good way to be. I just want to make friends and have more people in my life than my family and my boyfriend but there seems to be a barrier inside of me that stops me from doing that. I am thinking of going to the doctors but do not want medication for depression because I am not depressed. I don't want to depend on medication either. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Srijita52]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Have you considered therapy? Maybe it can help. Also hang in there, its very tough at the begining when you learn something new (even social skills) but if you keep pushing yourself it can get better. Maybe you can break your biggest fears into small managable ones and try to handle one at a time e.g if you want to make a friend but feel uneasy in the presence of a person you're unfamiliar with, maybe just try to hang out with them first without talking too much and gradually try pushing your comfort zone by trying to be a little more talktive, if you find you like their company try going out with them and repeat the same procedure with others. Its definitely not easy, but it will get easier, the toughest part is always getting started though. I hope things work out well for you.