social anxiety

[anarchist]

Do any of u guys have social anxiety?...I read somewhere that it's an INTP thing...well I definitely have it..can't think clearly when others are around...getting too tense bfore meetin my prof...its dreadful to speak up in the class...just can't think of making a presentation..i'm havin a tough time @ the graduate school...

[Arioch]

Absolutely not. And I never did either.

I was always talking to strangers when I was young
This worried mother....

[Birdsnest]

Yes...I have it until I'm comfortable with the people, and that depends on how comfortable people make me feel about opening up to them. Until I've known people for a while, (a half a year or more?) I clam up. But I generally clam up with people anyway unless its a one on one conversation with a person that is good at drawing me out of myself. Get me with someone that can draw me out, and I gab gab gab like its going out of style.

Honestly, I have it a LOT less than I did when I was younger, and can handle being in groups for one day. After that I must withdraw to recoop.

[spirilis]

Yeah, I can say I've had it. It's something like an old habit from childhood that I slowly grew out of, although it lingers around here and there.

[int]

*Remembers MacGuffin's sig*

But yeah, I get anxious about simple meetings with people I've never met - especially if it's work related because I know I'm going to be judged. Anxiety has been increasing a lot lately, but the situation is never as bad as I make it out to be and I'm trying to remind myself that as often as possible.

[Avengardh]

Did...still do sometimes, but I seem to do better at it than before...I have perfected "small talk" even though I hate using it...

~*Aven*~

[KentOhio]

Yeah, I have social anxiety.

[anarchist]

is there a way to get out of it?....it looks to me like my life is hurtling towards disaster...I have tried out countless self help books..but all in vain..now thinkin of taking some medication....

[Slider]

..

[Laeskis]

I'm tense by myself or around other people.
I think if people cause anxiety, they're being taken far too seriously.

[GraviTass]

Can anyone relate to this :-

Whenever I take a telephone call I really exrtrovert myself and crank up the empathy, even with people I know . I think I do this -

1. to get a feel for the intent and mood of the caller
2. to project a perfect image of myself onto the caller so they think I am wonderful :)

The result ?


A: Exhaustion
B: Sweat - drenched clothes !

Maybe it is due to the I- Ne combination (need to re-create the person on the other end of the line ) , coupled with the forced extrovertion of my T function ....D'ya think ? Does anyone else get into a sweat from talking on the phone ? (BTW I get into a sweat during face to face also , but am more likely to loose ALL contact with my T function , he he !)

[nobarcode]

I'm tense by myself or around other people.
I think if people cause anxiety, they're being taken far too seriously.
That's what I would say.

I have always had anxiety to one degree or another.

[nobarcode]

I really exrtrovert myself and crank up the empathy, even with people I know.

I don't think I have ever done this, ever, in my life. I'm always quick to notice when others do, and I usually call them on it.

[Lucas]

I guess I have experienced 'social anxiety'. I've felt nervous, agitated and out of place around certain people, yes. But what does that really mean. Do I need to be fixed because I could give a F*** about, and feel uncomfortable from the trivial small talk and gossiping people constantly do? (A study done by a linguistic anthropologist found that something like 70% of all conversations are about other people than those in the conversations, FYI) The only time I get nervous when engaged in an authentic and meaningful conversation is when I'm talking to a beautiful girl, which is another story all together:-)

Am I just a reserved introvert, or am I full of fears of what people think of me and how I look through their eyes? It depends on how I am doing at that moment. When I feel insecure, I view the world through the lens of fear, which distorts my perception of reality. When the spotlight is on me and I think that everyone is paying attention to my every move I inevitably feel anxious. When this type of discomfort arises, there is a real problem I need to deal with. (whatever that means)

When I am feeling good and confident, which is most of the time nowdays, I don't feel that distinct wormy feeling in my stomach. I can talk to, or stay silent observing, and I'll be ok either way. I feel connected with people and life instead of alone and isolated. This confidence isn't a puffed up ego asserting superiority, but rather recognizing the intrinsic worth and dignity of all human beings. It is just the absence of self-conscious thinking.

The only reason for going on and on about this is because I can relate to being controlled by social discomfort.

The best description of a solution that I've found is that: a person's cognitions (thoughts) have to be changed in a rational direction, and a person's behavior needs to gradually move away from avoidance and toward engagement and participation in life.

Talking about what people attribute to their being an INTP is fascinating stuff indeed.

-Lucas :hello:


"Every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you." -Walt Whitman

[nobarcode]

(A study done by a linguistic anthropologist found that something like 70% of all conversations are about other people than those in the conversations, FYI)
Hmm. If you could find that study and post a link to it in the "Web Links" forum, that would be cool.

..or maybe here: http://www.intpcentral.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=264&highlight=gossip

[Seraph]

Yes...I have it until I'm comfortable with the people, and that depends on how comfortable people make me feel about opening up to them. Until I've known people for a while, (a half a year or more?) I clam up. But I generally clam up with people anyway unless its a one on one conversation with a person that is good at drawing me out of myself. Get me with someone that can draw me out, and I gab gab gab like its going out of style.

Honestly, I have it a LOT less than I did when I was younger, and can handle being in groups for one day. After that I must withdraw to recoop.

Same for me, depends who I'm with. It's much easier for me to speak freely when I'm with just one other person. I'll clam up if I'm in a group setting and just listen.

[purple13]

yep.

[Lucas]

[quote=lucas](A study done by a linguistic anthropologist found that something like 70% of all conversations are about other people than those in the conversations, FYI)
Hmm. If you could find that study and post a link to it in the "Web Links" forum, that would be cool.


This research was carried out by an Evolutionary Psychologist(although his work is anthropological), named Robin Dunbar of the University of Liverpool. He listened to people in everyday settings and found that contrary to the linguistic orthodoxy, language isn't used mostly to convey complex messages but is used overwhelmingly to exchange social gossip, which he refers to as social grooming.

I found this information in a book by Dunbar which you can find here: http://www.hup.harvard.edu/catalog/DUNGRO.html

Here is the readers digest version Mr. nobarcode:
http://faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~jmatthew/gossip.htm


-Lucas



"If being human is all about talking, it's the tittle-tattle of life that makes the world go round, not the pearls of wisdom that fall from the lips of the Aristotles and the Einsteins. We are social beings, and our world - no less than that of the monkeys and apes - is cocooned in the interests and minutiae of everyday social life. They fascinate us beyond measure. "(Dunbar, 1996)

[Arioch]

Hmmm.. you know a little bit of vervousness and such before meeting new people or doing a public speech is good.

I remember when I first did kareoke I was nervous for lsomething like two hours before I went on. And I used all this nervous energy and brought the house down... although the caffeine and suger did help.

..although the dancing part of my act perhaps helped....

[last_caress]

Fear is the mindkiller.
Many feel fear, few can control it.

[synchronous]

Do any of u guys have social anxiety?...I read somewhere that it's an INTP thing...well I definitely have it..can't think clearly when others are around...getting too tense bfore meetin my prof...its dreadful to speak up in the class...just can't think of making a presentation..i'm havin a tough time @ the graduate school...

I have social anxiety, although, the level of anxiety fluctuates. I had to attend a family social event yesterday, and my stomach was in a knot. Most of it was just fear - visualizing the event, trying to anticipate so I can control it. Once I got to the event, the first few minutes were awkward, then I settled down. Hooked up with some social misfits like me, and I was fine. lol.

Some of my general anxiety centers around the following:
* not having a feel (or much of a desire) for the standard social niceties
* zoning-out and not paying attention to people
* having to give up some of my time/space/energy when I'd prefer just to sit a navel gaze, contemplate about life's dark mysteries
* not being able to articulate properly what's stored in my head, and consequently sounding like an eccentric, dumb or incompetent
* being extremely bored by "S" type discussions, yet, trying hard to sound and look like I'm interested.
* being touchy feely (not crazy about physical demonstrations)
* being clumsy

Socializing is draining. I have to make sure to refuel after extroverting like this. If you are not too maxed out on 'self-help' books, I recommend reading, 'The Introvert Advantage', by Marti Olsen Laney. At minimum, she demonstrates that there is a scientific-based, physiological difference between extroverts and introverts. That in itself can help you breathe a sigh of relief. You can then move on to finding strategies to cope that work best for you.

[Utopmk]

Do any of u guys have social anxiety?...I read somewhere that it's an INTP thing...well I definitely have it..can't think clearly when others are around...getting too tense bfore meetin my prof...its dreadful to speak up in the class...just can't think of making a presentation..i'm havin a tough time @ the graduate school...

I have severe social anxiety. I'm pretty sure it's a symptom of a racing mind. I've tried therapy and breathing excercises, but found my only relief in 2 perscription drugs "Xanax" and "Ativan." I choose being chemically dependent over ever trying to make it through life with that kind of dread, uncomfort, and paranoia. There are people that will critisize my use of chemicals, but the truth is that most intps could use something to calm their nerves. Thanks to Dr.Dove, I am legally allowed to carry a compressed liqour cabinet around in a little pill bottle to loosen the burden of my suffering.


is there a way to get out of it?....it looks to me like my life is hurtling towards disaster...I have tried out countless self help books..but all in vain..now thinkin of taking some medication....

The sad thing is, social anxiety is a hard thing to grasp if you have never experienced it. The first shrink I visited wanted me to do group therapy with no medication, I mean duh, like I'm going to show up for that. Rx is the only way to go.

[Six]

at worst I would go out of my way to avoid having to get near any guy standing on the street waiting for a bus... if I had to walk by him I'd look anywhere but at him... :ph34r:

don't know anymore when and why I started working on that...probably got annoyed by myself...
but what a revelation when I found out that nine out of ten people I cross on the street avoid making eye contact themselves... :D

PS: oh... and there still is thing about dreading to make phonecalls...at times I wrote down, what I wanted to say...

[Johnny]

"If being human is all about talking, it's the tittle-tattle of life that makes the world go round, not the pearls of wisdom that fall from the lips of the Aristotles and the Einsteins. We are social beings, and our world - no less than that of the monkeys and apes - is cocooned in the interests and minutiae of everyday social life. They fascinate us beyond measure. "(Dunbar, 1996)

Well, this kind of talk doesn't fascinate me beyond measure. Give me the Aristotles and Einsteins or let me stare at the plant in the corner until I can find the exit sign... :sombrero:

[candela]

Definitely. I think it's going away though.

[synchronous]

[quote=anarchist]I have severe social anxiety. I'm pretty sure it's a symptom of a racing mind. I've tried therapy and breathing excercises, but found my only relief in 2 perscription drugs "Xanax" and "Ativan." .... The sad thing is, social anxiety is a hard thing to grasp if you have never experienced it. The first shrink I visited wanted me to do group therapy with no medication, I mean duh, like I'm going to show up for that. Rx is the only way to go.

I work with two other introverts in an entomology lab (not big surprise to find some there.lol) They both take prescription medicine to take the edge off their anxiety when the lab is in full swing with temporary employees. I watched the change in my boss - like night and day. It does make a difference. Both tend to reduce the dosage on their own when the activity dies down at the end of season and the temps leave. I think it is a viable solution in certain circumstances, especially in severe cases.

[Arioch]

Fear is the mindkiller.
Many feel fear, few can control it.

Fear is simply a emotion that we have that warns us of things and sometimes gives us good counsel.

Treat it simply as such and you can control it.

[Six]

Fear is simply a emotion that we have that warns us of things and sometimes gives us good counsel.

Treat it simply as such and you can control it.

hm... dunno... sometimes it's more than that...of course it's still an emotion. but it might show up -without- reason to warn or counsel... kind of...gone astray...or..overreacting from an objective point of view.
and that's exactly when it's hard to control it... :ph34r:

[Arioch]

Fear is simply a emotion that we have that warns us of things and sometimes gives us good counsel.

Treat it simply as such and you can control it.

hm... dunno... sometimes it's more than that...of course it's still an emotion. but it might show up -without- reason to warn or counsel... kind of...gone astray...or..overreacting from an objective point of view.
and that's exactly when it's hard to control it... :ph34r:

I see it as simply another challange. Fear can be conquered.
Sometimes I will diliberately do something I'm scared off simply BECAUSE I am afraid of it and refuse to be controlled by a few discourteous chemicals.

[cloakable]

Fear is simply a emotion that we have that warns us of things and sometimes gives us good counsel.

Treat it simply as such and you can control it.

hm... dunno... sometimes it's more than that...of course it's still an emotion. but it might show up -without- reason to warn or counsel... kind of...gone astray...or..overreacting from an objective point of view.
and that's exactly when it's hard to control it... :ph34r:

I see it as simply another challange. Fear can be conquered.
Sometimes I will diliberately do something I'm scared off simply BECAUSE I am afraid of it and refuse to be controlled by a few discourteous chemicals.

Yeah, I will do the same thing with fear as well.

[Google Monster]

I treat fear and pain exactly the same way. Awhile ago I figured that pain (which fear classifies as mental pain) is just a sign to what area needs attention.
You break an arm, it hurts because it needs healing. You lose a loved one, It hurts because you need healing.
You know the pain of fire so there is no way your going to put your hand in the flames. You fear rejecting so there is no way your going to ask that person out. Unless you control it through the use of pleasure or a different pain and nullifying fear by making your values and principles higher than the value of fear.
Like how Arioch explained how being controlled exceeds the mental pain of fear.

[s]

Yes, but I have developed my "E" and confidence over the years and am much more at ease now.

I used to shake terribly if I had to go in front of the class or go to a social event.

Did anyone ever see the documentary "Spellbound" about the national spelling bee? The little girl who won easily could have been me at that age. She was terrified to be up there, awkward, and yet determined. Now look at me, I am Wonder Woman. ;)

[Ckyzxr]

I treat fear and pain exactly the same way. Awhile ago I figured that pain (which fear classifies as mental pain) is just a sign to what area needs attention.
You break an arm, it hurts because it needs healing. You lose a loved one, It hurts because you need healing.
You know the pain of fire so there is no way your going to put your hand in the flames. You fear rejecting so there is no way your going to ask that person out. Unless you control it through the use of pleasure or a different pain and nullifying fear by making your values and principles higher than the value of fear.
Like how Arioch explained how being controlled exceeds the mental pain of fear.
Use your INTP skills like Odd One does here.

Logically examine, find the root cause(s), and overcome the obstacle. I find that the fear of "something" is usually the root cause. Sometimes when the humanic side of me is in effect though (read: emotions), I will feel the fear and do it anyway.

[cloakable]

Really? I treat pain in a slightly different way. I take the view that pain is a physical thing, so can be filtered through the NT axis, removing all emotional content. Result? An awareness of pain, but without the other stuff.

[Google Monster]

Well one quote I love to go by is "Be fearless or take fear with you"

[Boozer]

I'm usually nervous when meeting new people. But I've noticed that public speaking at work has gotten easier for me. Though I'm sure if I was being judged on some kind of presentation I'd be nervous. Most of my social anxiety is in casual social situations. I either latch onto the few people I do know or help hold the wall up.

I also think Arioch gives great advice. By constantly putting yourself into the situations that cause you fear, your mind will gradually realize that the fear is an overreaction. Now I just have to follow that advice and go out once in a while.

[Almaviva]

I used to have much more social anxiety than I did now. I could hardly say an intelligible word around women. Making progress against this was a very conscious process that took years.

Step one was to change my conscious ideas, that seemed "logical" but weren't really. As an adult male, there is no good reason to be afraid of people (in particular, women, dating, making phone calls, and so on.) Period. Shyness isn't a part of someone's personality, any more than being afraid to play the piano is a form of musical expression. Also, "secondary gain" had to go away. For example, feeling sorry for myself, and trying to get other people to feel sorry for me can be an addictive behaviour.

Step two was to take the ideas, and actually slowly, and painfully do some of the things I was afraid of. Despite my intuition saying "danger!" and trying to make excuses. E.g. people aren't worth the time and effort. My mind can mask fear in many ways. After going through a lot of anxiety and some rejection, I found that this does get easier, much easier, although the process isn't fast. It's also a "three steps forward two steps back" process, and easy to lapse and convince myself that I don't need to go any further.

[booyalab]

I get angry when ordinary people confuse introversion with being 'shy'. I think it's partially due to being a non-people person female, but my whole life people have told me to stop being so anti-social and 'smile more!'. Shy people want to be more outgoing but they can't. Reserved people aren't that outgoing and don't particularly want to be. So extroverts tend to project their personalities onto us and assume we need them to help us 'snap out of it', and I think one reason introverts sometimes get insecure is because of all the perceived expectations of them. Sort of like how dark-haired people were considered evil in England in the 19th century and then became that way. (or so I heard, correct me if I'm wrong) I've tried explaining that I just DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY! But of course, that can't be it........why would I not want to talk to these wonderfully exciting people about gossip and shopping and sports trivia and the weather? what's *wrong* with me?? I Just need a little prodding, right?

[anarchist]

this is exactly the problem I have been facing...eventhough I've nothing to add to those junk discussions people expect me to speak...and this sometimes makes me uncomfortable...

[booyalab]

good for you! *this is where you redundantly respond "yep" or "thanks"*

[Vagabond]

Usually I am just labeled as weird and left alone to my devices. But, when I was younger, I also got this anti-introversion lecture (and it makes sense to get it from my extrovert mother, but my introvert father too?!). After I realised I couldn't change and that I wouldn't change even if I could, I started giving people the pokerface look as a response to their lectures. "I have nothing to say", "Do I bother you while I'm sitting here in silence? No? Well stop bothering me too" etc etc. Eventually they realised that's who I am and they can't do anything to change it. So I'm just a bit weird to most people's eyes. Who cares.

[Niflheimian]

Removed

[cloakable]

So I'm just a bit weird to most people's eyes. Who cares.

not me.

[Aryan]

yep I had been too much of an introvert since my childhood.
I did react with people but kept my life as simple as possible.
Sometimes I would feel tensed and so on ...
This was at school.

Now I am at undergraduate and I have tried considerably to test my social limits.
I think dealing with people had exhausted me and had taken away a lot of my energies.
But now I know that I would do better in one to one communications rather than groups.

Also I feel that in groups people just talk away shit and since i have no interest of discussing those or sympathising them i dont go there either.

In public speaking I think I feel quite normal and have no difficulty explaining concepts only when the topic is of my interest.


So lol feel control of your life. INTPs have social limitations but it does not mean that they are unfit in any way. INTPs are independent above all and so dont let other's lives control you. Just do what u feel and dont care what others think .
about ya.


Best of luck !

[s]

"If being human is all about talking, it's the tittle-tattle of life that makes the world go round, not the pearls of wisdom that fall from the lips of the Aristotles and the Einsteins. We are social beings, and our world - no less than that of the monkeys and apes - is cocooned in the interests and minutiae of everyday social life. They fascinate us beyond measure. "(Dunbar, 1996)

Well, this kind of talk doesn't fascinate me beyond measure. Give me the Aristotles and Einsteins or let me stare at the plant in the corner until I can find the exit sign... :sombrero:

B)

[Ckyzxr]

So lol feel control of your life. INTPs have social limitations but it does not mean that they are unfit in any way. INTPs are independent above all and so dont let other's lives control you. Just do what u feel and dont care what others think .
about ya.


Best of luck !

HEAR! HEAR! :thumbup: :cheers:

[restoride]

if you mean to control your fear, what do you intend it to become?

positive energy yes, but more exactly?

and whats with the imitating people around you... i do it and it sh***s me to tears, especially when others notice.
must be... insecurities.... or identity confusion...

man... id love to hear some possible solutions... this place does me some good.

hey if you want some fear conquering excercises... try tieing a tennis ball to a poll (need rope) and stand just beyond the ropes limits while people throw it at your head. skateboarding was another good one... and motorbikes. although they hurt alot when you fk it up.

singing in public is an awesome one... just for the hell of it, start quiet and get louder... or maybe martial arts?

[Universal]

Go to a disco! Just sit and watch!

[Six]

Go to a disco! Just sit and watch!

normal people won't let you sit and watch. after the first few drinks they'll try to make you get up and shake your bones... if not earlier... urgh B)

unless you go there alone... which is not likely as well ;)

[Groty]

Did...still do sometimes, but I seem to do better at it than before...I have perfected "small talk" even though I hate using it...

~*Aven*~

Yup! Small talk is the savior for me too. I tend to look for places with something to do, like shoot pool, when sociallizing. It's easier to have a pre-placed conversational topic when breaking the ice.

It's just hard to sit at a bar and watch tv, especially the news. Conversation is truly a lost art with most people, they are emotionally reactive to news topics. INTP (tee-hee!)

[t]

i get a pit in my stomach whenever i go out, but once i'm there, i'm usually okay. i tend to be uncomfortable in crowded places & i prefer a smaller group of people (only if i know them & feel comfortable around them, though). however, when i am in a crowded bar, i just have to have a few drinks and i feel better. but like i said in another post someone, one night of socializing sends me into hibernation for a few days.

[crule81]

I don't like hanging out in a large group composed of people I don't know well. I never know what to say to anyone unless I know them fairly well. I've done a lot of public speaking and have argued cases in front of a judge but I really dread doing it. But I notice I'm much less nervous if I am confident I have superior knowledge of the subject about which I am speaking. What annoys me is that I have very fair skin and tend to blush when I'm even only slightly uncomfortable. Sometimes I blush for no reason and it makes me nervous, which makes me blush even more, which makes me more nervous. . . I don't believe I have social anxiety very severe but I might go see a doctor about it anyway.

My roommate, who tests as an ESTJ, has worse social anxiety than I do. He gets stomach aches and always has to go to the bathroom before he goes out to socialize if there will be females he doesn't know well at the gathering. Even worse, he tends to break out in profuse sweats around attractive women. Moreover, he gets so nervous in many social occasions that he can't form anything that resembles a coherent sentence some times. I've tried to drop hints about seeking treatment for this, but he either doesn't get it or is afraid to admit he has a problem. I'm afraid that if I am blunt about it, he will get very upset. Maybe if I seek some treatment, he will follow.

[Misty_Kye]

I get angry when ordinary people confuse introversion with being 'shy'. I think it's partially due to being a non-people person female, but my whole life people have told me to stop being so anti-social and 'smile more!'. Shy people want to be more outgoing but they can't. Reserved people aren't that outgoing and don't particularly want to be. So extroverts tend to project their personalities onto us and assume we need them to help us 'snap out of it', and I think one reason introverts sometimes get insecure is because of all the perceived expectations of them.

Ditto, on all points.

I was very shy until I began to read about what an Introvert is like and began to wonder if some of my nervousnes was normal. I think it was the inability to recharge that lead to the uncomfortable feeling that I interpreted as nervousness. I also think that having everyone act as though the desire to be alone was abnormal, wrong and needs to be fixed added to the problem. After a number of years just thought of what was to come would make me feel uncomfortable and I would experience anxiety even before I entered into a situation where I had to socialize.

Once I decided that I don't have to be an extrovert, social situations became a lot more fun. I still get approached and told, "You're so quiet" I simply tell them the truth. It may be that I don't have anything to say or I don't feel like talking at the moment. People have always taken it real well. They don’t seem offended and the leave me alone. I've also found ways to take short breaks to tide me over.

[t]

i find that people get extroversion and sociability confused. i'm fairly sociable. provided, i worked on my social skills & developed them by forcing myself to be in social settings despite my preference to stay home by myself. however i'm still an introvert. i'm still uncomfortable in crowds and groups. i'd still rather be alone. i still need to recharge after a night out. i'm still a very private person. i still don't really connect with people in a social setting. however, when i am out i can hold my own socially and you wouldn't pin me as a wallflower.

[Dr. Caligari]

It's normal to feel nervous around strangers every once in a while. I think everyone suffers from social anxiety; some just have an extremely light case of it while others have a very severe one.

[Werdna]

I'm usually anxious in social situations, and I have never enjoyed them. I don't see how people can. I can control it better since i learned what the word confidence means, but I still try to avoid being social as much as possible.
Sometimes when I have to speak in front of a group, my mind just... shuts down. I got through high school by memorizing whatever it was I was supposed to read exactly, then i didn't have to think while I read it in class. Nobody ever seemed to notice...
Never had a problem talking to girls though. I've always gotten better along with gírls than other guys. And face-to-face with someone it's never a problem either.
And I agree with the thought that some of that social anxiety probably comes from that we think 'we are supposed to be social'. Sometime in high school I decided I just wasn't a social person. After that, socializing (or not) got a lot easier.

[t]

i cannot speak in front of a group. every oral presentation i've given has had points deducted for rushing through it or forgetting everything i needed to say.

[Boozer]

I don't like hanging out in a large group composed of people I don't know well. I never know what to say to anyone unless I know them fairly well. I've done a lot of public speaking and have argued cases in front of a judge but I really dread doing it. But I notice I'm much less nervous if I am confident I have superior knowledge of the subject about which I am speaking. What annoys me is that I have very fair skin and tend to blush when I'm even only slightly uncomfortable. Sometimes I blush for no reason and it makes me nervous, which makes me blush even more, which makes me more nervous. . . I don't believe I have social anxiety very severe but I might go see a doctor about it anyway.

God, the fair skin blushing thing sucks. It's so obvious that you are nervous.