Social phobiac in Newcastle, Australia

[NewcastleBoy]

Hi, my name is Pete, 36, and I am a social phobiac from Newcastle, Australia. I hate public speaking, I often get embarrassed when someone speaks highly of me, and I have no friends - or should I say, I do, but I don't call them, and only see them every six months or so. My life is my computer, but often it gets depressing sitting here alone. I am study a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in English / Film) at Newcastle Uni - I only made one friend in my first year of uni. No one ever sits near me. I have programmed my uni study so I don't have big breaks between classes and being on my own. In a film class last year, I bought all the DVDs costing hundreds of dollars because I didn't want to be alone for hours between lectures.

I am gay and my last short relationship was October 1996 - it ended very badly, and I haven't had the courage to meet many people since then (hence why I've been single such a long time).

I think my parents are worried about me, they have remarked I've put on weight, and my brother makes countless jibes about my weight and cruel remarks - he seems very down on uni students.

Sorry if this is sounding very negative, for the most part I hide my feelings completely in that someone might ask me how I am - I will always tell them great, even when I am miserable...

I'm wondering if there are any people here from Newcastle, Australia or support groups.

Pete