<p>I am 19. I was the "shy kid" ever since I can remember. Through elementary school my nickname was "The Quiet One". But in middle school it just skyrocketed to a new level. I knew no one and was afraid in social situations at school and could not make friends, even though I wanted to. It's been really hard. I'm tired of my parents saying, "Just talk, you need to make friends". I know that, it's sooo obvious, what I need is some help changing my thinking but I am afraid to tell anyone. I'm afraid that people think I WANT to be alone or labeled me as a stuck up or something. I've already wasted middle school and high school being alone. I don't want to miss out at college and I don't want to be alone the rest of my life.</p>
<p>I would tell your parents and ask to get some counseling between now and the start of the new school year(sept.). Perhaps a group session to reduce stress and anxiety, you are doing a good job of describing the issue and can start out stating that to the counselor. College is a great place to start anew; people are generally so much more mature, open minded and accepting. You’ll do great.</p>
<p>Once in college, you can get free counseling. I agree with kbiresearch, start now; call up your student health clinic and make an appointment. You’ve suffered enough. The right professional can help you. If you don’t like your therapist, try another.</p>
<p>First tell your parents. Are you able to talk to them? I know that’s the first advice people give and that is because it is the best thing to do…</p>
<p>That is where you start. I too suffered from anxiety-it came on for me freshman year in HS 35 years ago-I had no idea what it was but it was terrifying. My fears led to first avoidance and then self-medicating-and eventually all kinds of other problems.</p>
<p>It took me until I was 25 to get help for it and until my early thirties to really start to get the situation under control.</p>
<p>This does not need to be your story. There is so much more help and understanding out there these days that you don’t have to suffer with this condition.</p>
<p>I never fully realized my potential because of this. I have still managed to do just fine in life as long as I deal with these issues-but at this time in your life with so much to look forward to please take this head on-you can do this.</p>
<p>My friend’s son (freshman in college) sounds a lot like you. Before the winter break, he had a conversation with his Mom about how he always feels anxious around other people. He was tired of being shy and sick of being afraid to make conversations with new people. He wants to make friends and meet girls, but he was so anxious about talking with new people that he started to purposely avoid social events. He was sick and tired of feeling this way. His Mom suggested that he discuss the issue with a psychiatrist. With his permission, she made an appointment for him because he was too nervous to make the call himself.</p>
<p>His first visit with the psychiatrist was during the second week in December when he was home for the winter break. He was diagnosed with social anxiety and was given a prescription for medication. After about 3 weeks on the medication, he and his Mom started to notice positive changes. His conversations became more fluent because he was less stressed about talking with other people. He started laughing more and seemed to have found his sense of humor again. He started talking about wanting to take his drivers test again (he failed it twice because of nerves). Most importantly, after about 1 month on the medication, he turned to his Mom and said, “I’m happy”.</p>
<p>After his initial visit with the psychiatrist and starting the medication, he has had follow-up visits with this particular doctor once every two weeks. Things are going very well for him. He’s actually looking forward to going back to college for the Spring semester (goes back this weekend). </p>
<p>Speak with your parents. The scariest part is calling to make that initial appointment to speak with a psychiatrist. If you can’t do it, a parent can call and make the appointment for you. Speak with a professional mental health provider about your situation. Social Anxiety is more common than you may think. There are treatment plans that can help.</p>
<p>Don’t try to “tough it out” anymore. Either make the call to your parents and have them make an appointment for you or go to the counseling center and ask for help. It’s a treatable condition. </p>
<p>The hardest part is the initial call to make an appointment. After that, it will be a relief for you because you’ll realize that help is on the way. Good luck to you. :)</p>
<p>You can also ask a friend or your RA to make the appointment for you if you need to.</p>
<p>Don’t think that you’re alone. Khalil Greene (Major League baseball player) was placed on the disabled list for Social Anxiety. It’s very real and you can get help if for it.</p>
<p>It is a very real condition, but you need to be evaluated by a professional mental health provider for an accurate diagnosis. Fortunately, it is very treatable. I hope you get up the courage to ask for help ASAP.</p>
<p>Yes it is very treatable-the hardest part will be asking for help-but you can do it!</p>
<p>You have so much to look forward to-don’t look back years from now and think "I wish I had…) for anything.</p>
<p>You have no idea how common this is-as a poster mentioned a baseball player has it-and there are several others who have been treated for it and that doesn’t include all those who you don’t hear about. It is nothing to be ashamed of-you are not weak, you need a little help-it’s a sign of great strength to be able to ask for help when we need it-as I learned the hard way.</p>