Hi, rant from shy

[lonelyheart]

hi there, i'm 20 and from Australia. I get very anxious / uneasy around women in particular, causing me to blush and sometimes sweat. I am also very shy, my voice changes pitch when i'm feeling anxious. I currently go to university but of course dont have any friends because of my shyness and anxiety. I can usually be seen walking around in public looking at the ground, especially when females (particularly attractive ones) are around. I have avoided some of my classes due to not wanting to feel anxious / blush in front of people and consequently embarassing myself, which does effect my grades. I really want to tell someone about my problem but I don't know anyone I could and if I did, I don't think they would understand. I feel very sad seeing groups of people socialising at uni everyday then there's me all alone. I guess i'm not afraid to do things alone, just that it sucks because I'm lonely and have no one to talk to. I don't know what to do, i just want to feel relaxed around females, so that i don't blush or sweat which can be very embarrasing. I have avoided doing somethings because of this, one is going to the gym which I really want to do. I feel that my life is almost useless because I can't fully achieve what I want to do (always try to find an excuse to settle for less).

If someone wants to email me for a chat please feel free to.

[mind]

Hey, i have the same problem. I've just started uni too, and i'm completely alone. Theres a guy in my class who initially did try to speak to me and be a friend but i just couldn't talk back! I'm in term three now and just about everybodys given up bothering with me. I have a knack of making people feel uncomfortable just by being so quiet and nervous. I know EXACTLY how you feel.

Sometimes you feel really depressed when you start thinking about how alone you are when everyone else around you is having fun, laughing and talking with one another. This is supposed to be a time where we have a really good time, but social anxiety is holding us back.

[CaryGrant]

Welcome to the board, LH. Well, you can talk to us! Everyone here is or has been pretty much where you are. I will agree that this:

I feel that my life is almost useless because I can't fully achieve what I want to do

is soul crushing.

There is hope - just read some of the stories here. You'll find recommendations for books that will help, therapies, even drugs. There are success stories and stories of woe, but mostly on this board there is hope and progress.