Anyone have social anxiety disorder (social phobia)?

I'm fifteen, and I'm almost positive that I have this. I always feel like people are judging me whenever I'm out in public, and I always feel awkward around other people, sometimes even my own family! I feel like I'm the only one going through this!!!!!!!! Is anyone else suffering from this?! Have you gotten through it? Just anything...suggestions on what to do??? Thank you sooooo much!!

ive had social phobia for about 4 -5 years now......i was "normal" until i started going out with this one guy.....he didnt realize it but he was hurting me emotionally.....gradually that cause my self esteem to go down......i started secluding myself from friends and even my family..... i didnt know what it was about certain people that made me feel uncomfortable....i blushed when i talked specially when i was put on the spot.....just last year i decided to go to a doctor because it was affecting me in a way that i coulndnt really sociallize with my bfs family or friends ...sometimes i couldnt even say a word cause felt like i was going to say something stupid and they would laugh at me.......i realized that meds werent working for me so i got rid of my biggest problem....my bf...i started reading books about my problem and learned a great deal which helped..and talking to people who are close to you about your problem helped also....anxiety/social phobia is a trauma....there is always something that helped trigger that.....i still have it now but its not as bad anymore....i surround myself with positive people and try to always think positive...dont be so hard on yourself.....i learned that not everyone is going to like you...but there are also people out there that will!!....theres hope and trust me if you confront the problem lil by lil... youll soon realize that the world is not such a bad place!!!!!!

I have big time anxiety issues, I've had to deal with it for so long, I went to a doctor and got medication for it.

Yeah I've suffered from it, but it's gotten better with age. All I can say is, try to be social whenever you can. Push the limits. Practice; being social is a skill, so work on it. The better you get at socializing, the easier it will be.

Don't worry about people judging you. Most people are wrapped up in their own problems, or quick to judge because they can't face their own shortcoming. We all have flaws.

Also realize that the brain is a self programming organ. If you keep telling yourself that other people are judging you then you will believe it every time you meet someone new. This is called a cognitive error, and there is a list of them out there if you google it. Next time you see someone on the street realize there are three possibilities: 1) that person thinks you suck. 2) that person likes you. 3) that person is too busy thinking about their own stuff right now. Think about it: which one is true? You don't know what they're thinking, so it could be any of them. Don't automatically program your brain to fear them by jumping to conclusions.

Some antideppresants reduce social anxiety. I was on Paxil for 6 months and it helped.

I delt with this very same problem. The best advice I can offer you is try to avoid situations that make you feel uncomfortable. Not everyone are meant to give speeches or be the center of attention. Try to find your strong points and focus one them rather than worrying about being in a crowd.

next time, just breathhhhhhhh! they are not! you are just mputting it in your mind that you are. be confident and stop worrying wht others think. it may be tough but stay strong. u are who u are , everyone else can kiss your ***. have a good attitude about your great self!!! :)