Is social phobia affecting me?

Seems I'm always getting anxious, jittery/very uncomfortable in social situations at work or school.

It seems to be worse when I am walking, around a bunch of people I don't know. When I'm walking at work lets say (a large grocery store) I find I'm always wondering where my eyes should be, if I'm staring, I'm always trying to not look weird and it makes me weird/feel weird. I won't know what to do with my hands, you're not allowed putting your hands in your pockets so I always feel awkward. My heart races and speeds up.. and I kinda feel enclosed by everything because someone might be looking at me thinking, "jeeze what's wrong with that kid"

lately its been kinda buggin me, I said hello to an older friend at work today (while walking) and all that came out was a weak, shaky voice and it was embarassing. I have some, maybe one or two close friends that I will regularly hang out with, and a lot more not so close friends who I could be better friends with but choose not to for some reason.

seems thought that this isn't a constant feeling, some days I'll be calm and collected, most of the time I feel like quite the mess though.

I remember two years ago, I had to do a 4minute speech for english class, and I worried constantly about it for months, it really had me scared shitless. (worried even before it was assigned to the class)

Does this sound like social phobia? I also have another thread of $#%^ wrong with me thanks for your time guys..

http://psychforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=20060

oh im 16y/o male
responses and comments apreciated greatly

Yes that is social anxiety/phobia. Welcome to the club!

thanks

Although I agree it has to be social phobia + whatever else, it's not a terrible phobia, considering some of the stories I have read in the few minutes on this forum, but it still sucks, and it's starting to piss me off, and making me hate myself.

I'm not all that shy though, the only time I feel weird is when theres no communication going on, if it's someone I know and theres a conversation happening I'll usually feel better because there's no lingering awkwardness. (most of the time, I'll struggle to talk too and it prolly sounds like im ###$ stupid or have a speech impedimen, never been told that but feels that way. I'll talk fine around friends and family/be comfortable)

Where would I go from here, would meds take away that fear of being watched, would it make me feel relaxed (oh how I love that feeling) Do you think I would likely be diagnosed and treated with meds if I go to the doctor? It hasn't caused me to call in sick to work at all. I averaged 1 missed day a week in school though, still can handle the work and pass every class, so ###$ it i'm not worried about it. Not sure if the time missed is from my so called phobia? No doubt has something to do with it.

What do you guys think? thanks for the response btw

Yeah SSRI anti-depressants can be used to treat all sorts of anxiety. Usually they prescribe zoloft, paxil, or effexor for social phobia.

If you are still successful at work and school then you're doing great despite any mental health problems you might have.

You implied that you have some other issues. What else are you dealing with?

###$ brother... I constantly feel mental, and unnormal in social situations, just read my few posts on the link above, and it shares a few experiences I've had in the last year or so unless noted.

thanks greatly for the reply..

a lot of what is described hasn't been felt in a long while, I wonder if it has something to do with maybe bipolar with phycosis or something. It was almost like temporary scizophrenia trips.

Well I believe you should focus on how you feel now, not what has happened in the past. You're only 16. Realize that your brain is constantly changing in early-mid teenage years and that can result in really strange but often temporary chemical imbalances. To me it just sounds primarily like social phobia. You analyze all of your actions when you're around people and assume the worst.

I can totally relate to the delusional paranoid social phobia mix that you have described. However, my problem goes a step further - I actually hear people talking $#%^ even when I'm alone in my room. I think neighbors are watching me if there's a window open and I assume I'm being watched when I'm outside. When I first developed this problem, my psychosis revolved primarily around thinking there were cameras in my ceiling. It drove me nuts. Literally.