if you believe it will, then i'm sure it can help you! you can't think negatively because your body just takes that right off the bat and says "oh.. okay... yep.."
the thing is, everyone has their own little thing that works for them.. there is no real answer or strategy set in stone that says "THIS WORKS!".. but, if you do try, there's just no way that you won't see progress, it's all about the work that you put into it.
exposure has reeeeally helped me.. i was just like you, i didn't want to do it because i was afraid something really would happen, but it never has.. you HAVE to force yourself to get out there or you never will, you have to take that first step. i found that after i just started making myself get out of the house and deal with my anxiety in public places, eventually (after time), i started just doing it and then i'd stop and think "hm.. how come i'm not panicking right now? weird.."
it's so lame, but from my own experience, i cannot express to you how important positivity is.. our entire mind and body really reacts to the stupid little negative thoughts that are in our head.. but you learn that it's the same with positive thoughts (although it is a little harder). best of luck
