Friendship problems due to social anxiety, please help.
My social anxiety is the reason why I'm alone as a teen. People approach me friendship I am unable to maintain it or get close to them. I can create a friendship but getting close is a huge problem for me. I'm secretly an extrovert with social anxiety. I want to overcome this so bad but I have no help in real life. I don't know how to cope anymore. And recently i found a worthy friendship that i really want to maintain and get closer but we are starting to drift due to me not being able to get close. Everyone even to the quietest kid ever found their people or just someone. There are so many people that attend my school yet I have not a single person. Please what can I do.
Hello @meiflower54! My name is Unicorn! I feel like I can relate to you on this because I am an extrovert with social anxiety, and little to no friends. I was in a similar situation and almost lost my boyfriend over it. I was feeling social anxiety around his friends and couldn’t speak because I was so nervous, and it embarrassed him. However, once I told him that I felt anxious he did the conversation starters for me and held me to make sure I was okay. And I slowly got better. I know it is hard to open up to someone. But even if you are able to open up to your friend, just to say that you get social anxiety and ask for patience, it could help your friendship! Or even finding quiet areas that you both enjoy can take some of the pressure off:) I hope this helps💖
I have psychosis during eye contact. Because of this it’s hard to make friends. I find support groups easier to hang out because I can be myself. I’m also on a first name basis with my neighbors and frequent shop clerks. I can’t say that I have any close friends though. I am willing to keep trying and I would encourage you to do the same. Keep thinking positively that you will make a friend, it just takes a little effort and maybe some creativity to make it more comfortable for you. Good luck! I wish you all the best!