<p>I am an EXTREME introvert and have been diagnosed for severe social anxiety. :/
I have problems interacting with my peers and getting to know my teachers. </p>
<p>I'm a decent enough student..I pay attention and do whatever's necessary to get the grade, but I don't talk with my teachers beyond that. I'm already a junior, and have probably ruined any chance of fixing my relationships with my teachers so I will probably have to depend on senior year.</p>
<p>What's worse is that I've had panic attacks and mental breakdowns during class, and I'm extremely awkward. I've messed up countless presentations and embarrassed myself multiple times. My teachers tend to just think I'm weird, awkward and sometimes stupid..that tends to make me more nervous.
The fact that I'm also relatively unattractive makes things even more awkward...I definitely feel as though I wouldn't be so insecure if I wasn't so unattractive. Confidence is an issue.</p>
<p>I realize I have some severe issues but honestly, I don't think I can salvage it at this point.</p>
<p>I can't help but feel that any recommendation from any teacher I ask will be awful. I think the best I can hope for is a mediocre letter. </p>
<p>Will teacher recommendations make or break an application? Will it be impossible for me to get any scholarships or get into any prestigious colleges? :(</p>
<p>Do you raise your hand in class and everything?
I never talk to my teachers outside of class, except for the ones who advise my extracurriculars…I always thought it was awkward. I didn’t know you were supposed to in order to get a recommendation. </p>
<p>“My teachers tend to just think I’m weird, awkward and sometimes stupid”</p>
<p>They probably think that of all teenagers. It’s okay.</p>
<p>Yes, but my mental breakdowns and panic attacks definitely impress me as a little unstable.
I tend to not raise my hand if I don’t have to because I’m afraid of being wrong and of being judged. I realize this may seem kind of irrational but it’s so hard not to feel like people are judging you when you’re as paranoid and insecure as I am.</p>
<p>If you’ve been “officially” diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, you could probably tell teachers about this when you ask for recommendations. This would put your behavior in context, because some people fail to participate just because they’re lazy/apathetic. The teacher could think of instances during which you’ve participated and done well despite this and this would make you look like someone who has overcome difficulties, which will look good to colleges.</p>
<p>Is that really okay? Do teachers understand this kind of situation? I feel like it would sound like I’m just making excuses if I told them that.
They might react the way my parents did when I was diagnosed by my psychiatrist. My parents don’t “believe” in mental illnesses. They literally don’t believe that they are real…like they think depression is an excuse.</p>
<p>In general, if someone doesn’t believe you, they might not be the person to ask for a recommendation. Probably depends on where you live, but I don’t think most educated people would deny the existence of a medical illness for no reason, especially if you’ve actually had panic attacks in the class. If your grades are good, I don’t think they’d think you’re making excuses…I mean, you’re not using it as a way to avoid turning in work. </p>
<p>You do need teacher recommendations, but I think it’s also possible to submit additional recommendations from a (non-relative) adult who supervised your extracurriculars outside of school…this might be a good idea if you think there are other adults who have a better idea of who you are than your teachers.</p>