Hi everyone, I don’t know if anyone else has the same problem as I do but it’s starting to really get me down! I have suffered with social anxiety most of my life, it started when I was in school, I would hate it if I had to answer a question in class knowing everyone would focus on me or I would feel nervous even surrounded by a group of friends for fear of being judged on what I’d say, so I then became known as the “quiet girl”. When I finished school, I found myself becoming more confident in social situations especially seeing as I started to work in hospitality where I would be meeting new people all the time, my anxiety would creep up on me every now and again, but I didn’t mind it as I felt I had almost accepted it at that stage! Although recently, in the last 6 months or so, I have found myself going back to how I felt when I was in school! I began to feel nervous when talking to strangers, so much so I would constantly stumble across my words, almost as if I was focusing so much on what I was going to say that it would come out wrong! I didn’t think much of it until I began to notice it was gradually becoming worse, to the point where I would not only fear talking to strangers but also to my friends and family! I feel as though my brain is not connected to my speech if that makes sense? It’s gotten to the point where I fear having a conversation with anyone because I know it will happen and therefore make me feel embarrassed and frustrated! Going to work has become unbearable as I know it will happen there too and I feel as though I’m not working to the best of my abilities anymore, avoiding contact with anyone unless absolutely required!
I would like to know if anyone has or is currently suffering from this and if so, have you any tips on how to help ease this? I have considered going to the doctor but I am also fearing of being judged about it incase it sounds silly! It’s making me feel really depressed as I’d like to think I’m a friendly person who enjoys being around others, I miss how I used to be, I feel as though I’ve lost myself but I don’t know how to go back!