I have severe social anxiety

I have a severe social anxiety even though I have been to therapy for 4 years now. I am still in school and my grades are going down because of it (I can't participate in class at all) I have only 2 friends. One goes to a different school, the other I don't like anymore. I want good grades so bad and a lot of friends and I just want to have fun. But all of this I can't have and I just don't know what to do anymore. It's been like this nearly my whole life already and I'm scared I will have to live like this forever. Advice (other than just overcome your fear/ practice) is very much appreciated.

Hello, timeless! I or someone else will be here to talk with you and ask questions asap! In the meantime if you want to take a little time to elaborate on what you're going through or any specific details, please do!

I can relate so hard to this and maybe help some. I started with talking to people obline to get my footing and understand the flow of conversation better. I know it's not easy and you've probably heard it but you really do just have to let go of some of these fears and put yourself out there a little. Most people really do not care about a short conversation they have, and you'll almost always be meaner to yourself than the other party will even think to. Plus compliments are a great icebreaker, they leave the other person in a positive mood for the remainder of the interaction. As for school, if you know the answer why not say it!!! It will be hard and I've struggled with even asking to go to the bathroom in my past, but you only need the confidence to raise your hand. If it's effecting your grades and in turn your self worth badly there's only a positive outcome to it. As for presentation I still hate them so much and I'm so glad to not be in school or have to do them anymore. Maybe ask to do an individual thing with the teacher? As you practice and grow in your conversation skills it will just come easier. I think this can be a first step to your whole life and open a lot of doors for you. It made my time so much more enjoyable when I let myself breathe, even in situations when I was in the wrong/ was awkward. I know that you want this for yourself and you have it in you to get it happening. Best of luck to you and I'm rooting for you!!!

Sorry to make you wait! Work has really got me bogged down this week. I want to start by saying two things: first, I agree with juice here, and I’ll elaborate a little more on that once I hear more about what you’re going through. Second, you’re taking the hardest step by just asking for help! Great job! Bear with us a little and we’ll see if we can get anywhere together! You mentioned being in therapy. Have you talked to your therapist about this? Have they told you anything? And most importantly, have you tried it? Are your parents supportive? Are they pushy, disinterested, or helicopters? And what about your friends? Is the one you don’t like unkind to you or are you simply drifting apart? Have you spoken to your teachers or guidance counselors at school about your grades? If they know you’re struggling, they might be able to help you or offer makeup work. It’s important to remember: the squeaky wheel gets the grease! They can’t help you if they don’t know you need it. But enough about school. What do you do for fun? Do you play any online games or follow any sports, listen to music, watch tv shows, speak any languages, or anything else you can use to get your foot in the door? Talking to people online might help you build a little confidence. It’s not a substitute for talking face to face, but any safe experience you can use to dismantle your fear is valuable. Is there anything in particular you worry about that you can identify? Such as how they look at you or if you’ll embarrass yourself? Knowing what bothers you specifically will help us give you more helpful suggestions on how to walk yourself through it.

(Great posts, you guys!) Timeless, Are you still there? Is this therapy private or via referral through your GP? If therapy isn't working, it indicates a chemical imbalance (no doubt due to too many stress hormones infusing your bonce for too long, whereby (ref. the old LP Record-Players) 'your needle's got stuck'). You need a medicinal (chemical-correcting) step-stool. Ask your Doctor about a short course of low dose (5 or 10mg) Anti-Anxieties. "Citalopram" is the most popular these days, by far (fast acting, none or negligible side-effects, no drowsiness). I was on them, myself. Ucking antastic, they were, felt a difference at Day 3 and continued improving from there. Now I'm back to, irritatingly chirpy and relentlessly positive. :D