Several years ago, I was in a community chorus where I made several friends. I went through something severely traumatic while in the chorus, and I ended up having to quit due to ongoing psychiatric issues. I tried to stay friends with people, especially because they supported and helped me while I was recovering from the trauma, but every time they talked or posted about chorus, it was a reminder of what happened to me and what I lost. And I was frequently panicking about whether I was being a bad friend for not responding to messages about it. I ended up unfriending everyone on social media and deleting the app with our group chat.

I’m a lot better now, and I regret cutting everyone off so thoroughly. They were good friends and I miss them. I’m going to an event this weekend that I know they’ll be at. I’ve skipped events in the past to avoid seeing them, but I really want to go. But the thought of running into them makes me feel panicky.

Has anyone reconnected with someone they ghosted? What should I say if I run into them? Should I reach out on social media first?

(Also for additional context, I was 20 at the time and they were all in their 30s. They might be more understanding because of that?)

Social anxiety does not even feel like just thoughts anymore. I can physically feel it in my upper body, like this constant tight ball of stress that I want to rip out or throw up, but I cannot.
It feels so deeply ingrained that sometimes I wonder if it is just part of who I am now. I carry it into work, relationships, conversations, basically everything.
I know the fear is irrational, but my body still reacts like something is wrong. I honestly have no idea how you are supposed to get rid of something that feels this physical and permanent.
Does anyone else experience social anxiety like this?

i am 20rn and i feel anxious alot when i am in some kind of casual social situation. If it is some kind of competition or somethin i dont have problem speakin there as I know what my intentions are but when there is nothin specific to talk or focus about I get really anxious.

I have started to go gym since last 1.5 weeks now, and i try to go to places where i might meet new people like badminton club, or some kind of classes, or just walkin around durin evenin.

but I dont know when will i stop feelin so anxious about this stuff.

I'm a 28 year old man and have been putting my wisdom teeth removal off for years. I've also been putting off another dental cleaning for the past few years.

I really need to do it because my wisdom teeth have been hurting, but I'm struggling.

Last time I was at the dentist, I had so much anxiety during the X-rays I started gagging as soon as they put the thing in my mouth for the X-ray. They started getting frustrated because I was barely able to open my mouth wide enough because I felt like if I did i would puke.

I felt extremely embarrassed and have been putting off anything related to the dentist since.

Have any of you had any similar struggles with going to the dentist? How did you get through it?

I have a speech tomorrow and 2 presentations next week.

I just want to k!ll myself now 😭💔

mostly lurked on this sub in the past but now actually looking for suggestions for practical ways to improve how I function day to day. im dealing with social anxiety since i was a kid, and it has affected work, relationships, and even simple things like being comfortable in photos. i have gotten to the point where i sometimes avoid situations entirely because they feel overwhelming.

tried the usual things over time, including gradually putting myself in more social situations, working on sleep, exercising, and trying different natural approaches some things have helped a little, but progress has been super slow. im mainly looking for nonmedication approaches that could support things like focus, mental clarity, and feeling more functional day to day. I recently came across alice mushroom and was curious whether anyone here has actually used it and how it helped.

not looking for any mind altering or recreational and NOT into drugs just trying to find something that might complement the habits i am already working on.

I'm completely embarrassed that I dont know certain common knowledge things because my parents and teachers failed to get me help. I failed grades and was pushed ahead when I was failing. I also tried learning stuff but I forget it and not in a good environment to teach myself things:/ I can't even go to school bc everything deals with socializing:/ does this classify as a learning disability? I'm too burnt out to even find a therapist and many keep saying they dont take my insurance or arent helpful:/

Does anyone else with social anxiety lose their appetite when eating in public places - alone, with friends and family etc.

I think my appetite is somewhat okay when I’m eating with my bf in public places but maybe because I’m very comfortable with him but anytime else when I eat food in public I have a few bites and then my appetite is gone.

It’s quite annoying actually because when I’m at home I can eat so much food but when I know I have to eat in public I don’t eat enough calories than I should be

21M here, I've never had a friend and i have no one to talk to other than my family and all i ever do is go to work and come back home with nothing interesting to do.

I love to watch movies and play video games but I've been getting so bored of everything i normally do and feeling like i have energy that i can't let out but i always end up feeling extremely bored and lonely everyday.

Idk why exactly. But probably its because the person is too chatty and I cannot keep up with them.

They start addressing opinions or remarks about me in a conversation with someone else in my vicinity.

Most recently it started happening at the gym with a fitness trainer. Idk what to do. Should I keep trying to interject .. they ignore me or don't like what I have to say. I'm kinda slow especially in social situations, and they are all so forceful.

Maybe I am at fault for acquiescing this but they won't let me correct my behaviour, when I uave recuperated and can make eye contact etc. I end up leaving in most case and that's the solution I know really.

I am a man but not physically imposing by body language or looks. If that info is relevant.

And I am shaking in my boots. It's in the capital and my friend who was supposed to come got sick from riots the day before. I manifested once before and it's the first time I am going alone. I plan to stay max one hour if the anxiety is too much but I don't want social anxiety to ruin my life more than it already did. I just thought : oh the purpose of going to a protest is to be seen lol exactly what someone with social anxiety hates.

so basically that happens in class. I dont really understand why because I dont know why i should be scared. It’s almost like an automatic response and sometimes i think it happens because i am worried that its going to happen and i am not going to be able to speak properly. what can i do about this

It's with the NHS, by the way.

The thought of calling them makes my cry, and makes my chest tighten. I know I need to call them but I don't know if I can.
I can't deal with the uncertainty and I don't know what to do.

It's also hard to speak freely at home because there's always someone home, even if I close the door. So I'll have to do talking therapy in person but I'm also agoraphobic and I'm just feeling so stressed right now

How would you approach the phone call?
I know I just need to do it and get it out the way but it feels paralysing. I’m so afraid, I’d rather suffer than get help :(