Does anyone else deal with social anxiety?

Hiya, I noticed no one's replied yet, and though I've got better, yes I do still have my moments. Where I used to live we had a low fence and I couldn't even go and hang my washing out if the neighbours were in the garden. That's just one example of me avoiding a social situation but it really made me feel like I was a bit mad. Have had CBT and that's helped a lot. And feel much more at peace since finding God again.
Glad to hear He's been helping you! It's wonderful, I hope you continue to feel better

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Yes, I have social anxiety and I struggle with it. I make myself go to Church and try to participate and keep doing what I feel the Lord wants me to do. But it is hard being nervous and fearful. But I feel uncomfortable at Church. And it is difficult when no one understands what it is like. I feel different than everyone else and that can be lonely. I know Jesus is my comfort.

Kaylaherin said:

I'm glad to hear that through it all you cling to Jesus as your comfort. That is so warming and encouraging to hear because it reminds me in Whom I need to absolutely put my trust in: Jesus! I do believe that the Lord is currently taking me through what I call "training and refining", it's as if I am now singlehandedly looking at every single one of my struggles and flaws, and countering it with the word and in prayer. I know for a fact that this is all for a purpose, I just want to break from this it's like a prison, understanding God's power yet my feeble flesh and body quiver at the slightest of things compared to the infinite and mighty God we serve. I have been praying to find a local church that is biblical and teaches sound doctrine but it has not been easy. I will keep you in my prayers!

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Thank you! You have encouraged me and remind me how I need to keep looking to the word and praying for help from God with this. I will pray you find a Church! God bless you!

Yes, I have a lot of social anxiety. I often want to just stay cooped up in my apartment, except when I go to work. I'm terrified of going up to people and starting conversations with them. I read into all sorts of little signs that I said something silly. I'm terrified of it.

I'd like to think age has made me better. I don't care as much what others think now that I've gotten a bit older. But I still struggle with it. The thought of looking in someones' eyes is so intense, and I feel so pressured to come up with something to say at the moment. I often struggle and fumble with words, and then I start reading into any sign that they might be avoiding me because of my anxiety.

I find I like myself the most when I'm drunk, but that's a bad habit in and of itself.

Kaylaherin said:

I've been dealing with it for quite some years and it has been something that the Lord has been truly working with me on.

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The more you care about what Christ thinks, the less you will care about the judgment of man. Much love to you.

Lord I come before you today asking for everlasting peace for my brothers and sisters in christ that struggle with social anxiety. Lord your word says that "the fear of man will prove to be snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe"- Proverbs 29:25 Heavenly father, you did not give us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, of love, and and a sound mind. God, keep your word in the forefront of our thoughts, that we may meditate on it daily. I declare healing over each and every one of us. Thank you Lord for your grace and for your mercy. In Jesus name...Amen.
I know I'm super late on this post but I wanted to pray for you guys. I have struggled with social anxiety my entire life. As a child, I was bullied and rejected by many of my peers. Over time I allowed the spirit of rejection to manifest itself inside of me. I didnt feel worthy of anything, and I began to place my value in how many people accepted me. Over time I grew more and more scared to speak, almost as if I had lost my voice. I didnt want to give anyone a reason not to like me. I ignored the idea that I struggled with social anxiety for so many years by just choosing not to go anywhere and using my seclusion as a defense. I thought, if I didnt go anywhere, I would lower the risk of me making a fool of myself by trying to communicate and fumbling over my words, or my mind drawing a blank and not knowing what to say. Only now, as an adult, I've come to realize, this is exactly what the devil wanted me to do, to not trust God, and to shy away from everything. Guys remember what Jeremiah 29:11 says..."for I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Understand that God loves us so much and that he would never lead us astray. I couldn't agree more with what istandbyjesus said....the more you care about what Christ thinks, the less you will care about the judgement of man. Once you make the decision to follow Christ, Jesus takes the throne in your life and the opinions of people become irrelevant. God has an amazing plan for each of our lives. Don't allow yourself to miss out because of fear of people. When you pray, start asking God to take over your thoughts as you think and your voice as you speak. God gave each of us a unique voice. Who are we to allow anything or anyone take that away from us. If you're like me, I had trouble for a long time expressing myself clearly and concisely. I felt like I knew what I wanted to say, but didn't have the words, only later on I found out that I did have the words, but I was just too scared about how I would sound when they came out, and that fear crippled me. Other times, I would get in social settings and not know what to say. I would be too worried about, "well what if this person doesn't like what I choose to talk about or thinks I'm too boring" I read into facial expressions, feedback, and social cues WAY TOO MUCH! Any one of you that is still struggling with this, I encourage you to start declaring over yourself every day and magnifying what God says about you (ex. I am far from oppression and fear does not come near me- Isaiah 54:14, I have the mind of christ- 1 Corinthians 2:16, I am complete in him who is the head of all principality and power-Colossians 2:10) I've learned that the more you meditate on God's word, especially if it's in the area of something you have been struggling with, eventually, the situation will break in your favor. The devil will no longer have a hold on you because you know the truth. Let God's word be your confidence and your foundation. I've made a decision that I refuse to continue to live my life with anxiety in social situations...our purpose in life is not to please people, our purpose in life is to love people, and to use our gifts and talents that God has given us to serve and to bless others. I declare favor over each and every one of you. God Bless

I suffer from this a little bit but im so messed up its hard to tell what actually triggers my anxiety and panic anymore. I just wanted to say if anyone is looking for a stepping stone to recovery that there has been evidence of a lot of people with social anxiety that are recovering by playing video games that require team work and back and forth chat through a head set.

Yes. I don't leave my house unless my husband is with me. He is my safe place. I am always terrified of what other people are thinking when they see me or talk to me. Leaving the house is just too much. I try to go to church, but people always think I'm mad at the world (I'm actually terrified of them). It's horrible. I have two young children and I know they deserve better. I try to take them outside to play but I end up having a panic attack. If anyone comes to my house, I have a panic attack. It's really horrible.

I used to have it bad ..but god has defintely made it manegable

I have battled with this for years