is this social anxiety?

Question

Im 15 years old and i guess you could say im really shy, when im around alot off ppl, especially guys i feel really shy and embarassed and at school when i have to present stuff infront of the class i get really nervous,sweating ,shaky and i feel really sick. i know its not normal cause none of my friends are like this. I dont think i'll ever have a boyfriend because i get really shy around them and im scared to look ppl in the face when i talk.. i hate it soo much!!! I do have friends and stuff and i have 3 really close friends that i can act completely normal and myself around but its hard for me to become good friends with new ppl.

Answer 1

Hi. You've convinced yourself that it's not normal. What? Because none of your friends are like this? Maybe your friends are just too shy, really nervous and embarassed to tell you. When your like this you believe everyone can see through you. Thats not true. And it is normal. You are not alone. Take my word for it. I was the same way at 15yrs.old. I feel like i'm having a flashback here reading all you've said. This will pass as you get older. Your not going to be like this for the rest of your life. I was so shy at 15 and now people can't shut me up. You will look back at this a laugh about it when you are much older. Your going to be fine.
Signed: Part-time actress.

Answer 2

I don't know if I would call it Social Anxiety, but you are definatly shy. I was the same way. When I was in grade school I would stand on the edge of the play ground and just stare at the other kids. I had a few friends when I got older but I was still really quiet. Finally I realized I was only hurting myself by being quiet and I just started talking. I would recommend talking to your parents or a school counselor just to see what they think. Now remember I think all girls are always shy around boys especially if they think they are cute or are interested in them.

Answer 3

Sounds like a mild case of Social Anxiety indeed. I would not go as far as to say you have Social Anxiety Disorder though because you do not have an extreme fear of people or seem to have agoraphobia.

As mentioned by the woman below me, it could could also be a maturational thing that may go away with cognitive maturation.

However, if your anxieties get worse, there are solutions. I would recommend cognitive-behavioural therapy. Basically, you are taught how to change your behaviour by altering your cognitive proceses. Very helpful with anxiety.

The second is medication. Medications such as SSRIs (anti-depressants). They work on serotonin reuptake and help control anxiety. However, I strongly recommend that you do NOT take meds. They do not cure anxiety in that if you stop taking them, your anxiety will come back. There are also nasty side effect. Some of the side effects may include infection, injury, nausea, diarrhea, dry mouth, constipation, decreased appetite, sleepiness, dizziness, sexual side effects, nervousness, tremor, yawning, sweating, abnormal vision, weakness, or insomnia. And the side effects of stopping medication are similar but also include feelings of electroshock in the brain.

However, if they are used in conjunction with therapy it will help speed up the process of getting over it.

Answer 4

I think you're just shy, and that's normal for someone your age. I wouldn't say you have social anxiety... you have a fear of public speaking, it sounds like, which a LOT of people have.... and at your age being nervous around boys and groups of people is also normal. Don't worry about it. It'll pass as you mature.

Answer 5

I was exactly the same as a teen age boy so I empathize.
However, these days they can treat this as a medical condition .
the torment and mental and emotional trauma are not worth it .
Ask your parents about seeking medical help.