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The more I'm forced to socialize, the more fearful and withdrawn I become.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

[BOLIN_Vee]

i used to be that way too a few years ago. i only had 2 friends, and no one wanted to be seen with me. it was a HORRIBLE feeling!!!! i was so quiet and even the teacher made fun of me. and i even had this ugly hair that went down to my ass and i had these teeth that stuck out. i slowly made progress. after 2 years of braces, my teeth were completely straight, and i had cut my hair to normal height likei guess 4 inches below the shoulder. boys started to like me, and the girls wern't afraid to be with me anymore. i became more confident, and next thing i new, i was talking allittle...too much...in class and i was getting in trouble..but it was aiite. then i started getting invited to parties and stuff, and the boy who used to think i was so weird, tolled his friends how hott i was, and here i am. i worked my way to overcoming being shy. and u can too. its a great feeling.