social phobia

[Livayackr]

welcome . I have been suffering from social phobia for about two years, but in the last week its intensity has increased a lot after I fell in love with a girl as I became unreasonably shy, focus on myself a lot and panic attack when I look at anyone's face what is the solution please help me

[Hollick]

Liva, are you saying you read into ppl's facial expressions? Social anxiety can do this, can I ask do you have body image/appearance issues/concerns? You said you focus on yourself a lot and panic when you look at someones face? can you elaborate pls..I think I know what you mean?

[designguy]

Sounds like you have social anxiety disorder which is highly treatable. It's basically learned maladaptive thinking and behavior that you adopted as a survival coping measure growing up. Mine developed because I grew up in an emotionally repressive household and I was bullied in school. You may also have a tendency to be shy or even an introvert but that doesn't mean you have to suffer with social anxiety.

I suggest you find a therapist who specifically treats social anxiety disorder. This may include CBT, exposure therapy and group therapy. You may also consider medication at least temporarily. If there isn't one near you, there are some online programs available you can do. Learning why and how you developed it and new skills and thinking and changing your perceptions about yourself will allow you to heal and get on with your life.

I would have preferred to have worked with an in person social anxiety therapist but there wasn't one near me so I did this online program:

socialanxietyinstitute.org/