Last 25 years I have Social Phobia (Very Shy). I want to live my rest of my life peacefully. Is any treatment?

[Permaman]

with out any side effects ? I am man in 45 years. Most of in my life I met they start Insulting me, infront of me or in my back . Laughing at me. It is not imagination. but true. As I am doing marketing I visiting new people but I haven't got any problem . but who I know better they only insulting me. The reason I want to show I am the man I smoking.

[SUSAN K]

i understand you are shy and there are many others too
i don't think there is a treatment for that, if you try to be more sociable it may help, if you want that
you could join a club, maybe even a social skills club
maybe go to church, people maybe are more understanding there
good luck and take care of yourself, be good to yourself

[Lilly]

i heard cognitive behavioral therapy works wonders

[vicky_waraich]

be cool guyyyyyyy . m same like u . i have losted so many friends nd girls.......... due to shy . but i dont care . i know m good , thats enough for me ......... so keep rocking nd make ur chilrdens better than urs nd social ok .

[Michael .]

Join a community voluntary self help group where you help with tasks which include dealing with people. eg. work in a hospital at the weekends, church, temple, children's home/ orphanage, hospitals etc. to build your morale and confidence. After a year you can move to drama classes and perform in front of audience .. start with a minor supportive role or as an extra. Later you can try taking on a lead role. This also can be a non-fee based group.

The important thing is you have to interface the public and not work in the background type position. Helping with voluntary work at a local temple or church is a good start. You can arrange an outing or a picnic trip every weekend for the community groups, your friends/ families where you organise everything and also go with them taking the project responsibility.

Above all you have to start to listen and believe your inner voice - if you dont believe in yourself nobody else will as it will show on your face the minute you meet them.

Shame you are not near me or I will sort you out in no time. Let me know if you need any further help. Good luck Yaar.

PS: Do not take any magic tablets, fix the problem at the root permanently. And do not waste your money on psychotherapists.

[angelo m]

well like a month ago i did a project on social phobia .i found out that 5.5 million peopl in United states its self been soci phobic,antidepressants known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors r the medication given to socio phobic person. recommand try face the wrold with u r will power no one is perfect . when u try to do some thing dont feel shy or fear to tlk in public think like these" people listening me(u) r less educated and dont hve ablitity to perform like u do" make u r self stornge .

good luck

[Johnny Whoa]

I'm afraid there's only one real cure, my friend.
Will power.
You have to learn that your fear is irrational, and stand up to it. Don't be controlled by your fear, but instead face it, and conquer it. (Ye GODS I feel like an after school special...)
It sounds straight forward, maybe even a bit harsh, but that's all you can do. If you really don't want to be afraid, just face the fear, beat it into the ground, and move on.

I used to be afraid of well... pretty much everything, when I was little. I just had to realize that my fears were irrational and I had to just get over them.

Fear of spiders? Killed them. Realized they pose no threat to me.
Darkness? Turned off the night light, stayed up a while, and realized darkness couldn't hurt me.
People? Spoke to them. Spoke in front of them. Interaction. Got involved with the people around me.

It's a fairly straight forward answer, but its harder than it sounds, I know. Just do it. Said it before, I'll say it again: don't let fears rule you. Just overcome them through experience.

There's a type of therapy for phobics, known as "exposure therapy." This is basically what I just described, only you don't have to pay someone $200 per hour to do it. Good luck.