How is your speech and socialising affected?

I am showing many (early) signs of schizophrenia; most have not been a problem so far but lately they are affecting my socializing badly. I am unable to tell it myself but I'll start with some of the things others have mentioned;

My facial expressions, approach, gestures are inappropriate. I stand/stare/move awkwardly, frozen in observing the situation and not having anything to do myself. I can go silent for hours, not a word to add to the conversation (or to the few small talk words in circle). When I do it somehow interrupts others' vibe - being eccentric, heavy, unrelated or not making any sense - appearing offensive, specially to new people. When talking for a longer time, I can describe a topic of interest with great enthusiasm but quickly jump between (to others unrelated) associations. In my silent moments I usually drift thinking about the world around me, focus on a certain material, pattern, idea behind it, often leading to magical/spiritual ends. I never hear anyone talk out loud about the things I usually think about.

What is your experience regarding any unusual thoughts and coping with social situations/successfully 'navigating' them ? Does this get better or worse in time? I feel that no matter how hard I try, I never appear quite normal and it tires me so I am spending most of my time alone.

Hi there. My socialising is also affected. Im exactly like you? Im not sure whether it's due to schizophrenia, medication or indeed self confidence. I'm very conflicted in my life as well so that doesn't help either.

I was wondering if anyone could help.

Too much or too little confidence?

Nahh I meant this as a general post, for people to talk about, me just starting off

I have psychotic depression, not schizophrenia, but the two share many symptoms.

I've spent a great deal of time and effort on "appearing normal" to deflect attention and inquiries, but I know my expressions and reactions are not always appropriate to the social situation. I don't like being social, I have a very hard time thinking of appropriate topics for conversation, and it takes me literal years to trust people. But people seem to bond to *me* very quickly? So I know people who consider me a very good friend, yet they know hardly anything about me.

If I'm having a very rough, anxious day, my speech becomes very soft and slow, and I will not socialize at all if given the option.

Socializing, at the best of times, is stressful and exhausting.

I think in general i present myself in a weird manner. My words get mixed up when i talk and i stutter and just..can't get the general message across. it is easier to type. My affect is usually blunted but i have a lot going on internally but n the outisde its just like or i will laugh during serious things, especially when i talk to my psych about suicide or something like that.