Telling my parents I might have social anxiety disorder?

I want to tell my parents, particulary my dad, that there is a chance that I have social anxiety disorder. I am sixteen years old and I cannot handle social situations. I am just afraid of socializing.

In fact, I've never had a boyfriend or kissed anyone yet.

My dad is forcing me into social situations and I just cannot handle it. I get all shaky and emotional just thinking about it and I need help.

My parents never can take a lot of things seriously, so I really need help I sitting them down and tell them I need help. It's especially difficult for me to be candid with them.

I'm afraid my dad won't let me go to therapy because he'll say something like it's just a phase or something.

How can I do that?

Consider first giving the following a try: View the information and weblinks for social anxiety/shyness, and self confidence, in sections 9, and 38, at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris Here is an exercise that can help you. It is called "Act as If." When you are in a social situation, act as if you are outgoing. Talk more, smile at everyone, ask questions, speak in a normal or excited tone, not a meek tone. Watch some of your outgoing peers, and imitate the style of their social behavior.

Research shows that when you "act as if" continually, your image of yourself begins to conform to your new behavior. In this case, you will gain self-esteem and self-confidence, and begin to see yourself as socially normal, not shy. You will become more socially successful, and this will motivate you to continue your new social behavior until it becomes a habit.

Try this for a month, in every situation you can. I am confident that you will become much more comfortable and outgoing. One form of therapy is to go somewhere that nobody knows you, and deliberately make an utter fool of yourself: put on a paper hat, and scream out: "I'm queen/king of America!", or something else ridiculous, then get back in the taxi, (warn the driver of your intentions, first) or car, and leave.

People will point, and say: "Look at that idiot". But, you're probably not up to the stage where you can do that, yet (I can, and I used to be shy). Regard it as your final test: once you have accomplished it, the barrier will be broken; just don't go too far, the other way! Learn to laugh at yourself, and give a big, cheesy grin when others see you do something foolish, as we all do, occasionally. It is endearing, if you don't do it too often. Use positive affirmations: for example: "I am very likable and other people feel comfortable around me".

Write down all of your self limiting beliefs; then write down the positive counter of them, (exact opposite) and repeat them and imprint them into your mind.
Most importantly: Force yourself to approach somebody and initiate some sort of communication. Start out small by asking the time and directions and gradually go bigger.

Rewind your mistakes. Let's say you want to change an annoying laugh that you have, when you hear something funny, your old laugh will come out. You have to immediately think of what you wanted to happen, (i.e. your new, practiced laugh) and then do it immediately. It will be a little bit late, but slowly you will start to pair the two together, and eventually your brain will become conditioned to switch the first for the second. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, to instill a new habit, with most people, so I estimate a similar amount, in the reprogramming process.

Approach others (preferably the less good looking ones, in the opposite sex, at least initially, and go for M:F balance) to form/join study groups, and join clubs, associations, etc. View section 13, on surviving high school, and systematically explore the Wikihow articles, by clicking on the weblinks at the foot of the pages, and write down those you have read.

Why not start by visiting your school counselor? (Breaks the ice!).