Well I started Session 2. One of my biggest anxity inducer is social situations. Basically anywhere I am going to be in a position where I need to strike up conversations or God forbid someone else strikes up a conversation with me. I just feel like I have nothing to talk about that I can't be interesting, witty or funny and that I may make myself look foolish. I avoid as many of these situations as I can while still trying to maintain a normal work life and some semblance of a relationship with my family and girlfriend.
Believe it or not that is the first time I have ever told anyone that little dirty secret. Does anyone else do this? Or am I the only one?

you are most definately NOT the only one. i often feel weird and out of place during social situations...sometimes, when someone is talking to me, i get so focused on what to say next and how it will sound and if it will appear smart or funny or stupid and drab that i stop paying attention to the conversation, get lost, and then of course, get more anxious!
our problem is the overthinking. of course you should think before you speak, so as not to say something that could be seen as offensive or whatever, but we shouldn't think as much as we do. try to focus on the current conversation, what is being said right now, as opposed to what was just said or what might be said. this could help.
you're not alone!!

hey, its interesting to know that u feel that way too.... u arent the only one, i always worried about the conversation, i mean i am confused what to say or worry what if i dont have anything to comment or share about...... i too avoid most of these situation and try to live a normal life..... now i feel lot more comfortable and the good news is that i am in a session 2 either..

Thanks ghimire. It's been something I have delt with for years hopefully both of us will overcome.

Tanks for your comments too Cole. I have actually simply left just to get away from the situation. The fight or flight response I guess you would say.

I know one of my biggest things is eye contact, I get very jittery talking to someone and I constantly look around and move to different positions. I have to force myself to look people in the eye, I am afraid that I have somethine wrong with my face or hair or nose. It sounds so stupid but it has become such a habit that it is hard to have conversations. I know this must effect people's openess to converations.

I suffer from this too and I've been finding the more I focus on what the other person is saying the more I unfocus on myself and get into the conversation.