How to be more confident and more social?

Hello! I am glad that you reached out! I am sorry to hear that you are dealing with social anxiety symptoms.

Do you recall any of the events during high school that contributed to you feeling this way?

Signs and symptoms of social anxiety disorder can include constant: fear of situations in which you may be judged negatively, worry about embarrassing or humiliating yourself, intense fear of interacting or talking with strangers and fear that others will notice that you look anxious.

It’s normal to feel anxious in social situations from time to time. For example, many people feel anxious in job interviews or when having to give a formal speech. Social anxiety can be a problem when it becomes too intense or happens too often. When it does, social anxiety can cause significant distress and affect many aspects of a person’s life.

Therapy can assist with better managing and coping with social anxiety symptoms. Therapy can be an effective treatment for a host of mental and emotional problems including increasing self-worth and creating healthier thought patterns which will help with your confidence. Talking about your thoughts and feelings with a supportive person can often make you feel better. It can be very healing, in and of itself, to voice your worries or talk about something that’s weighing on your mind. And it feels good to be listened to—to know that someone else cares about you and wants to help. While it can be very helpful to talk about your problems to close friends and family members, sometimes you need help that the people around you aren’t able to provide. When you need extra support, an outside perspective, or some expert guidance, talking to a therapist or counselor can help. While the support of friends and family is important, therapy is different. Therapists are professionally-trained listeners who can help you get to the root of your problems, overcome emotional challenges, and make positive changes in your life. You don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental health problem to benefit from therapy. Many people in therapy seek help for everyday concerns: relationship problems, job stress, or self-doubt, for example. Others turn to therapy during difficult times, such as divorce.

But in order to reap its benefits, it’s important to choose the right therapist—someone you trust who makes you feel cared for and has the experience to help you make changes for the better in your life. A good therapist helps you become stronger and more self-aware. Finding the right therapist will probably take some time and work, but it’s worth the effort. The connection you have with your therapist is essential. You need someone who you can trust—someone you feel comfortable talking to about difficult subjects and intimate secrets, someone who will be a partner in your recovery. Therapy won’t be effective unless you have this bond, so take some time at the beginning to find the right person. It’s okay to shop around and ask questions when interviewing potential therapists.

As you start to address your concerns and issues you are more likely to be on a path to a healthier future. The good thing about BetterHelp is that you will not have to drive anywhere to get therapy, you are able to do it online.

I encourage you to seek support so that you are not alone and I wish you the best as you move ahead in this decision.