Is it normal to be so anxious of social situations?

I'm 20 years old, and this fear of social situations is interfering with my life. For example, I've never had a job before because the thought of sitting through a job interview terrifies me. Also, I've distanced myself from the few friends I have because I feel uncomfortable when I'm out with them. My mother just thinks I'm lazy, and she's always nagging at me to get out more, but I can't. IIN?

Voting Results
74% Normal
Based on 69 votes (51 yes)
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Comments ( 14 )
  • Where do you feel comfortable? At home? If so invite a few close friends over for some nice food and catching up. Slowly you'll develop social skills among your friends. I was like you once and I honestly had to force myself to interact with people. Now it's not so bad. Honestly force yourself to talk to people, you'll see that they're not that bad.

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    • Zamyxl

      Thanks for that....
      the fact that your name is anime makes me think that we might be a little bit a like.......
      And hopefully give me the push to get better......

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      • Good luck. Trust me once you get out there you'll see that people aren't that bad. And do you enjoy anime? If so what animes are you into right now?

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  • Boo!

    I have days when I feel like running away too but I dont because if I do it once, I surely do it again. Dont let fear contorol your life. The only thing to fear is fear itself. Keep trying and never look back, it'll take time but if you start doing something about the problen then slowly it'll disapear. Have confidence and prepare yourself, you can do this!?!

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  • Eliott+Transford

    I hate people. They're inconsiderate and stupid. i try spending as much time away from them as i can. Were all hypocrites living in a world of fake lies, greed, and hate. we will never understand one another so we should accept that nobody will love everybody. just turn the other way and stick to what you want to do. a world without people is a perfect world.

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  • Redanddead

    i understand how you feel i have social anxiety then i got an therspist and she expained ways to reduce my anxiety its impossibe to get rid of it bit you can reduce it

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  • JoMama123451234

    The key for overcoming your anxiety is to put yourself in situations that make you anxious. EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE!!!! It will suck at first but the more you do it the easier it will get. This is what my therapist told me. I have the same issue that you do.

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  • Havensprings

    I am the same but instead of letting my family take care of me i found a boyfriend online who i now live with. It took me 2-3 years until i wasnt shy with him. But im just saying find people online and tell them all about your shyness and anxiety and see if you can meet them if they are understanding and willing to take time with you. About getting a job, well i think the best advice is prepare for a job interview by writing down questions and answering them in your head over and over so you memorize them and know youre good qualities without thinking too hard so you dont forget out of nervousness. Research online for typical questions. I did that and it helped me. I was scared too. As long as you apply for a job where its okay to be shy a job interviewer wont mind as long as you show youre a hard worker and reliable. Do volunteer work in the meantime if you can to show youre not lazy to your family or future job interviewers.

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  • equanimity

    Don't distance yourself, it will only make you feel less social.

    Force yourself to hang out with your friends. Force yourself to practice small talk with people you don't know well. Join some clubs with people interested in the same things as you. Smile a lot. Be proactive.

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  • amigoing

    Anime is right. Whatever you do, don't run away from the problem as it will only get worse (you'll end up holing yourself up in a room, unable to come out).
    The only way to overcome fear is to face it, and that means deliberately socialising, even if its only a little bit at a time until thats not so scary, and then increasing it.
    If its already so bad you can't even face that, then you need to go to the doctor. Anxiety disorders are *very* common, but its much better if you can nip it in the bud yourself.

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    • JustShoveIt

      What if you hate the bastards and wish they would all die in a fire? That's how I feel about humanity.

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    • I read your profile description and may I say that you sound like a very interesting/fun person to talk to.

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      • amigoing

        Why thank you, I'd have read yours, but it seems to be AWOL. :)

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        • LOL. I'm too lazy to type anyth

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