Anxiety.

Hey,

It's took me a while to admit I have something wrong with me to myself, but over the last few months of actually taking the time to think about it I've came to conclusion I must have some sort of anxiety issue.
I can't do anything without worrying about what other people think of me. I find it really hard talking to new people, my brain always goes blank whenever I speak to someone. It used to be worse, I wouldn't even try to speak to someone if I didn't know them, but my job has kind of helped with that, because I have to do it, saying that though, I still would never just go up to a girl I don't know and try to talk to them.
Any kind of situation surrounded by people I don't know I always feel HORRIBLY awkward, and my brain wants me to do anything to get out the situation. My brain's always telling me 'they're all staring at you/laughing at you' kind of thing. I look really young for my age and since i was about 15 I've been pretty skinny, and before that I was huge, so it doesn't really help.
Even online now, I don't really try and talk to people, when I first got online, I used to go on habbo and had friends on it I would always talk to, even some e-girlfriends (lol). I ended up on this forum too, and had friends on here too, and would actively try talking to people, but I just don't anymore. Even online my mind always is making me think people are thinking the worst of me, it's embarrassing really.
I dunno why I felt the need to post this, but I guess it's kind of helping me accept I have a problem, and will get me to try and fix it. I was going to go to the doctors, but I don't want to go on some pill and not be able to be normal without taking it.
But yeah, thanks for reading if you made it this far, any tips if you've been in a similar situation would be good too!

probs not a good tip but locking yourself in your house and never going out works

Well, i wouldn't really call that Anxiety. I know a lot of people like this, it's kind of natural for shy people. I was exacly like this as a matter of fact. Everything was great, then all of a sudden for the past couple of years.. i couldn't really speak to anyone (except online & 2 of my mates). Besides that, i find it really depressing. With the people looking & thinking they're laughing at you ect, is a normal thing. A lot of people feel that + feeling awkward in those situations, it's natural.. so no need to worry. Just have some slight smile (not full on), be yourself and just look around. No reason for anyone to laugh at that. It's about confidence talking to people, once you start doing it, you'll be more confident about yourself each time.

Is there any reason why you may feel like this?

I know exactly how you feel and it is anxiety most likely. I feel exactly the same and I sweat like anything! I see a therapist to help me get over these fears.

Anxiety is about emotions, such as depression. But basically everything that was said ^, is natural for a lot of people.

I don't think this is really anxiety, more semi-paranoia. Some of what you describe (always worried about what other people think) happened to me a lot, and I've actually left great situations and social settings just because of what I thought someone else thought.

I can't tell you how to get over it. I just hit a block in my life and I was forced to strip down everything I was (long story short bad time in my life), and I was able to build it the way I wanted. I now try not to assume other things about people, and don't let other people get to me. At the end of the day, as long as you're happy with yourself, does it really matter what other people think?