Do you fear speaking to people?

rko74

Well-known member
I notice myself im quite worried and to a point scared with talking to people.Like today when i went to my lifeskills class, im dreading the instructor asking me what i thought about something in front of everyone.Also someone in the class shares my interest in computer games, at the end i chatted to him.But inside i feel like i want to crawl away and die kinda feeling , because i have zero confidence in talking to people.

Is the fear of talking to people a symptom of social phobia? Also when i took the bus this morning a girl sat next to me and, my thought process was like "should i say hi, what should i say etc, if i speak i hope they will be able to hear me kind of thing.
 

Septor

Well-known member
Yea fear of talking to people is classic symptom of social phobia.I'm not as bad as I was before but I was always afraid of talking to people because I was afraid of sounding to quit or saying something stupid.I still have big fear of talking to people I just met.So I understand what your saying about having no confidence in talking to people.

I can empathize with you rko74 on the bus thing because that just happen to me the other day and I was wondering the same thing.Unfortunately I just decide just not to say anything.
 

rko74

Well-known member
reply

How do you manage to get better at it? Just continued exposure to social situations? Do you ever let people knopw you have about your problem, if they wonder etc.

Thanks for responding, its good to know your not alone
 

rko74

Well-known member
speaking

I really wish i could be able to be at ease with talking to people.I have such a nice personality that is caged up when im with other people.My biggest wish is i could be able to goof off and not care of what they think, like i can do at home with other people.
 

Macarena313

Member
Re: speaking

rko74 said:
I really wish i could be able to be at ease with talking to people.I have such a nice personality that is caged up when im with other people.My biggest wish is i could be able to goof off and not care of what they think, like i can do at home with other people.

Hey!
I think it's very good the 2 things you have: you KNOW that you have a good personality (a lot of people think they're jerks even if they're not)
and you have a wish to get better. It all starts with a wish, so don't give it up. I think the only way you can get out of sa is to go into situation that scares you... before that you try to clear your mind.
I tell myself positive affirmations and rationally see the situation (im trying to) and then just go in situation. First in a smaller one, for example i speak to 1 -2 people, not in front of a group.
Keep on persisting :wink:
 

jayfan

Well-known member
definetly ... aside from maybe two ppl i cant really talk to anybody. im freaking scared that i sound stupid , boring and annoying .i also have a slur in my speech and a slight speech impediment. in fact i know i sound stupid but i actually have am a pretty funny cat albeit corny at times. its just i never open up to anyone except at some other forums i visit . i have no trouble talking to ppl there.
 

Septor

Well-known member
Like Macarena313 said it all has to do with risk.You just have to get your self out there and take the risk.Start out slow with people you know and move from there.Affirm to your self that you will be successful.I really don't know what else to say other then just get your self out there and the more you practice the better you will get.

I still have a lot of work to do my self.For me I don't have so much problems with talking to people if they talk to me first but i'm afraid of initiating conversation with strangers and that something i'm going to have to work on and it's going to take me getting out and taking risks.
 

Lotrsfan

Well-known member
I have a fear of talking to people. I hate it when someone i'm not confident with or someone i don't know asks me something or jokes to me coz i'm scared i can't find the right words to answer the question or how to react to a joke etc. But when i do respond i've got this I just wanna crawl into a hole right now kinda feeling, and i go all shy and i'm sure my face shows the shyness and my voice comes out quieter than it usually is when talking to people i do know and i'm confident with.
 
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