Social phobia., How do you get over it? Options

[georgeWIRELESS]

( Excuse me, I'm not sure if this belongs here, so if it needs moved, I'm sorry O.< )

I've been shy, all my life. I've never had more than a few friends, I've never been able to speak up to anyone, I've never been able to ask for help because I was afraid.

I failed a grade once because I was afraid to go to school. I don't know why I was afraid.

I don't have much time left before I'm going to have to start making it on my own, only a couple years, which isn't that much.

How can I prepare for the real world when I'm afraid of it?

If I've been this way all my life, will the future be any different?

My parental units say homeschooling is a bad idea, but I don't think it's any worse than public school. I'd get about as much social interaction in homeschooling, with none of the anxiety. >_____>

The more I'm forced to socialize, the more fearful and withdrawn I become.

Everyone thinks pushing me into social situations is the answer, but it's only made it worse.

Have you ever had social phobia? Do you still? If you don't, what changed?

[MeLoNiSyUmMy]

AH, ME TOO! ME TOO! i always wondered if i could get over my fearness. im actually more scared of public speaking (like..talking in a big crowd) than dying.

i found out that over the past months, ive started to get over it. im slowly..VERY slowly starting to mature into the.."adult phase." i have to go to a "shrink" for my ADD and i tell her all my problems including that. shes really helped me. maybe you can go talk to a consuler? (SP)

she told me to forcefully talk to people when im in a crowd with my friends and theres a newcomer. it actually works! just like someone posted up ahead of me, you should really try it! itll boost your confidence up, not to mention you can make new friends!