Introversion , Shyness , Difficulty in making eye contact?

Question

I am painfully shy sort of person.I have this problem while meeting people,I just cant help feeling a repulsion when I need to converse with people.I use energy,control my breath to talk to another person .at home,I neednt have eye contact with people.Sometimes , in the morning I just feel difficult to get out of the bed coz of this problem . Moroever I avoid going out at time coz I wud stumble upon some aquaintance and if I might blush which might make both of US feel bad !! A typical situation is the Flat security , I feel "I might have to smile at him" else he wud feel I am a snob ...and smile doesnt come automaticaly if it does I shud make sure I aint blushing, I have to make it up...such trivial things like meeting people u know( not ur friends) and dealing with them gives me hiccups. I am a very ambitious person in general and have good academic pedigree, I wanna progress in life hopefully become a businessman which is my aspiration . Please advice me , thx a lot for ur supp

Some more details : As a child I have been very shy esp with girls and I didnt converse with them much . I used to be sort of egoistic , I wouldn't take it well when someone airs "superiority" or show offs... I just hate that ...When I look at someone lots negatives things come to my stupid mind ..like he isn't good looking(?) or some defects in the face and stuff ! I have started to practise meditation / yoga which has helped me a little . But still I feel this cud be a major hurdle in my professional and personal life...I feel I shud be a people's person and I am not one and that cud be a major hurdle in my dreams and aspirations ?

Is there anyone who comabted this problem ?
Like I just dont wanna ruin my personal / professional life - i hope to have family when i am 30-32...Is the problem treatable or in the DNA ?

Answer 1

Well dude the thing you have is psychiatrically called Social Anxiety Disorder(SAD).(I know cause i am an aspiring Psychiatrist). Also referred to clinically as social phobia. It involves overwhelming anxiety and self conciousness in everyday social situations like talking with people you know, friends at school, work, etc. It is a very disabeling in social life.It is totally different from shyness. For example a singer or an actor might feel fine on stage but is afraid to be in social situations. I really advice you that you dont try to smile at people who you know. if they like you they wont be bothered by you not smiling at them. Just dont worry about what would they feel about you. let them go to hell but you should not worry about them. Live your life man. You deserve it ! you have to overcome your fears. Approximately 13% of the population of the world experience SOCIAL Phobia in their lifetime with male to female ratio being 1.4:1.0 . An early diagnosis may give a head start in curing this disease. Some sufferers often resort to alcohol or drugs. But i advice you to not go for these options .A person with this disorder may be cured by therapy , medication or both. Research has shown COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR THERAPY to be effective in treating this disorder. The cognitive and behavioral components seek to change thinking patterns and physical reactions to anxious situations. This may be done through a technique called role playing. Prescribed medication consists of a class of antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Such treatment has a high response rate and low risk of dependency but has been criticized for its adverse side-effects and possible increase in suicide risk. But my brother i DONT want you to go for the Suicide. Friend please you need psyological help. I really advice you or rather BEG you to overcome your fear for once and atleast meet a psychiatrist. If you have any trouble you can always write to me or you can IM me through instant messenger. Please do yourself a favour. I am happy to be helping you.

Answer 2

You should talk to you doctor, he can reccomend a therapist & maybe give you a prescription for Paxil or some other anti-anxiety medicine. I worked with a guy that used it for social anxiety, and it really helped him. I was the same way, but got over it mostly on my own - but it took years & I feel I missed out on a lot of opportunites because of it. I wish I had done something sooner & my life would probably be better. Good luck!

Answer 3

i cant imagine having this sort of problem. there are medications you can take to help you with this, this anxiety of social situations. i dont know if thats the route you want to take though. mabey a psycologist could help you with theropy. ive met people that are 'painfully shy' i have no problems talking to anyone anywhere really. and these very shy people were no exception as long as i wasnt insulted by them not looking directly at me which i wasnt. eventually they came out of their shell and looked at me a little bit. mabey just give it some time and get comfortable first...

Answer 4

You need to get out of your own head. Start doing things for others, without expecting something in return. You are very wrapped up in yourself and what others think of you. I've been there, I know.

Love, Jack.

Answer 5

hi.
you have a condition called social phobia.
there are books in the library you can check out, support groups, apparantly sometimes a small amount of medication like prozac can help too.
this is more common than you think. also it seems to ease as you get older.
good luck.

Answer 6

It is a sign of you overcoming shyness, which is great. You can't let shyness interfere with your ambitions. It is a great sign, so good for you!

Answer 7

I would recommend you listen to Tony Robbins.


Watch this 20-minute video about him and then download his programs. Don't buy them. The bastard is actually pretty expensive. But you don't have to buy his products. Get them free.