Social anxiety is different from shyness. Shyness is usually short-term and doesn’t disrupt one’s life.Social anxiety is persistent and debilitating. It can affect one’s ability to work,attend school,develop close relationships with people outside of their family.

Growing up I used to be an outgoing person,I was fun to be with and literally bring fun to wherever I find myself.I was keen on going to parties, foothball matches n any other social outing that ensures that I'm far from my house.If you find me at home then I'm just there to eat and "show face"..

Parents please be careful how you control your kids, children are not all the same and don't subjugate them or force them to be like the other.Teach them right from wrong but don't force them to be like the other,In most cases it doesn't turn out well.I remember mum used to say can't you be like your bro and stay inside (cos he used to cooped up in the house almost everyday)..As we grew up,I started listening to mum n started staying in-doors which will turn out to be bad for me.i could literally go days without desiring to step outside my room or house anything that will bring me in the presence of people I suddenly refrained from such.

I noticed it got bad,when I attempted giving offerings n tithes which warranted you to come Infront of the entire church congregation.i could feel my legs failing me one faithful Sunday,it felt like I'll faint if I don't leave.i was fidgety,sweating profusely,heart racing n blood pumping faster than usual.After the prayers I quickly went back to my seat and after that day, I had mum give the offering on my behalf if she goes to church on any tithing Sundays.This trait followed me to school

One time in school a lecturer asked a very simple question in a combined class that I knew the answer to,I looked back n forth, nobody had their hands up,I was like"this simple question" make I answer am jare.But in-between bringing my hands up n answering that question,I found myself panicking,n having an increased heartbeat that I had to stop myself.the lecturer went on to award marks for the answer still I was just staring at him with the answer in my thought but my lips sealed.After the end of that class n him giving the answer which I knew already,I was so pained n ashamed of myself n ended up going home because that day was ruined already.

A few months later I'll go on to lose my girlfriend as she wasn't okay with me ghosting her each time she is in the presence of lots of people..I spend so much time inside my head,I always feel like a situation didn't end well or I ruined it which most times wasn't even a big deal to people.I am a listener,I barely speak,i can't talk for two minute nonstop, I'll probably faint or lose my voice.Its a herculean task to step outside my house unless it's extremely important.Keeping up with relationships that require me to visit the other person is a big deal for me.. Alcohol sometimes if need be to face a social situation,it was getting worst day by day.Soon I accepted my faith n passed myself up as an "introvert".

Guess what bro that's cooped up in the house everyday before is the EXTROVERTS extrovert, he's not shy bout anything,he can speak n act as he likes anywhere n anyday,I can only look at him in admiration, wishing to be like him now but I'm far too gone in my introvertedness(if there's any word like that) that I don't feel like I can save myself anymore.Then I studied my problem n found out that I wasn't just introverted,I have a social disorder.Started reading more n researched on it n so far I can say it has gotten better.i can control it to an extent, it's not so obvious like before but haven't gotten around to going out n staying out for long.Relationship is still a big issue,I collect numbers but the thoughts of calling them n going out just makes me move on with my life.
My daily routines still remains Home-Work-Home.. Lots of people are in similar situation, some say they're just shy, some say they are introverts.

Which one are you?

Any Useful tips would be appreciated as you read thanks and a Happy New Year People

I think mine is introversion. I don't like much attention but if I have an assignment, say presentation that warrant public attention, I will do it well (after severe practices of course).

Epositive:
I think mine is introversion. I don't like much attention but if I have an assignment, say presentation that warrant public attention, I will do it well (after severe practices of course).

Even after much practice to summon the courage is another thing for some people.

Is not that they're daft or can't do their presentation,but when you get to start there's this overwhelming anxiousness you'll find difficult to control.You can't even stand properly.

I noticed sumtin lyk dis last sunday in my church wen an elderly man stood up and walked to d front of d church to make a donation, i could literally see his hands shakin wen he held d microphone to address d whole church and even when he was bringin out d cash 4rm his pocket...it kept me wonderin...

Op, u r nt alone in dat issue, even me sef use to feel intense heartbeat wen its time for offerin in d church dat i jst wish i could stay bak bt each time it happens i wil jst summon courage and go for d offerin

Ekejoestar:
I noticed sumtin lyk dis last sunday in my church wen an elderly man stood up and walked to d front of d church to make a donation, i could literally see his hands shakin wen he held d microphone to address d whole church and even when he was bringin out d cash 4rm his pocket...it kept me wonderin...

Op, u r nt alone in dat issue, even me sef use to feel intense heartbeat wen its time for offerin in d church dat i jst wish i could stay bak bt each time it happens i wil jst summon courage and go for d offerin

With the old man it could be that is age is telling on him, he's finding it difficult composing himself n posture, Which is quite understandable considering his age.


Back then when I use to feel like that during offerings,I always assumed that people are staring immensely at me and I'm trying to diserfy what their taughts are at that moment exactly..As I grew up,I realized they're just staring not necessarily at you and most of them their taughts n mind are not even there.they don't care What you doing really, you're just overthinking it.

It's al in the mind