How does someone with minimal social skill get the most out of an organized gathering? [more inside]
posted by frwagon on Nov 1, 2009 - 13 answers

Does anyone else feel like an imposter? I often have a hard time building relationships with people. I can be polite and make small talk with other people, but I struggle with making friends. I struggle with social anxiety which is part of the problem, but how do you move past it and build relationships with other people so that they are genuinely interested in getting to know you better? [more inside]
posted by Garden on Oct 5, 2009 - 13 answers

How do I deal with anxiety about my discrete social groups interacting with one another? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 13, 2009 - 12 answers

I haven’t been to a doctor in nearly 10 years. 100% of this is due to what I believe is social anxiety. To get a real medical opinion I’d like/need to speak to a doctor. I cannot pickup the phone. (1) Looking for primary care physician recommendations near Columbia, MD and (2) advice on what to say to the person answering the phone. [more inside]
posted by syntheticfaith on Jul 22, 2009 - 22 answers

I'm worried that I might have adult Asperger's or some similar social disorder that is keeping me from living a full and happy life. Lots of details after the jump. [more inside]
posted by fantine on Jul 6, 2009 - 43 answers

How do i get over my fear of intimacy in friendships, and actually let myself get into close friendships and not push people away? Help me sort out my problems with intimacy and social anxiety, and fix it. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 11, 2009 - 8 answers

How can I help my 32-year-old sister conquer her intense fear of interacting with people? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 3, 2009 - 9 answers

What steps did you take to find your partner in spite of social anxiety or severe shyness? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Apr 2, 2009 - 33 answers

How do I know when I'm being self-assertive vs. being a jerk? [more inside]
posted by treepour on Mar 11, 2008 - 11 answers

For the past few months my girlfriend has felt very anxious when I have discussed going to out any social event with my friends, so I have been staying at home which makes her feel guilty but has been the only way she could cope. She wants to get better but doesn't know any skills or techniques for reducing anxiety that would help her, and her feelings of guilt only make things harder. Of course there's deep background inside. [more inside]
posted by AuroraSky on Feb 18, 2008 - 12 answers

How can I help my teenage sister deal with her horrible social anxiety? [more inside]
posted by logic vs love on Sep 27, 2007 - 19 answers

Can one fix social anxiety disorders or other socially-related disorders by becoming better at being well-liked? [more inside]
posted by philosophistry on Aug 29, 2006 - 25 answers

I could use some insight/support from those who suffer from generalized or social anxiety disorder and their loved ones. Despite being medicated to the hilt - which works only to the extent that it deflects and masks total public meltdowns - I am increasingly unable to tolerate social functions or recover from "weird" encounters or awkward conversations. The problem is that I am feeling tremendous amounts of guilt for essentially ditching my awesome, beautiful, incredibly supportive wife by leaving her to fend for herself at parties or any kind of large gatherings. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on May 27, 2006 - 18 answers

Last minute nerves and etiquette filter. I am soon to be heading overseas to stay with a friend I have not seen in many years. Whilst I am excited there is also a growing sense of nervousness. I will be staying for two weeks and I am aware this is a long period of time. I am quite a quiet and shy person and this sometime is mistaken for arrogance. How do I go about letting go of the anxiety, make a good impression, and, thus, remember this trip for all the right reasons?
posted by numberstation on May 1, 2006 - 11 answers

How do I become LESS empathetic? [more inside]
posted by 235w103 on Apr 11, 2006 - 36 answers

Help me help myself. I have had social anxiety for almost as long as I can remember and for the last few had also been depressed as a result. [Gory details inside] [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 6, 2005 - 10 answers