Social Anxiety Wake Up Call?

I'm 21, and as long as I can remember I've been very shy. For most of my life, that's all I thought it was, shyness. However, now I starting to fear it might be social anxiety and/or social phobia. The only people I truly feel comfortable around are the people I see or talk to on a regular basis (my parents and very close friends). I even feel anxious and uncomfortable around many of my relatives. I got a big wake up call on my last day of class this semester. I am majoring in elementary education; something I love, however one of my instructors who is also my advisor told me that if I don't get over my shyness, I am not going to be successful in teaching. She basically said, if I don't do something to fix my problem over the holiday break, I need to find a different major. This really hit me hard. Recently I heard about hypnotherapy. I was wondering if any of you have heard about it curing or helping people with social anxiety or social phobia. I am desparate.

Social Anxiety Wake Up Call?
Therapy would be better than medication - unless you want to be on drugs for the rest of your life. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy would be my recommendation as it helps us adjust our attitudes - and that's just what you want!





Good luck!
Reply:I understand why you took the news from your advisor so hard...





Seems that its that you take back control of your life. Here is an article about hypnosis and anxiety:





http://cureanxietydisorder.com/Hypnosis_...





In respect to treatment of social anxiety, here is a highly recommended resource:





http://www.cureanxietydisorder.com/socia...





Hope this helps..
Reply:Just a suggestion, but have you tried seeing a Psychiatrist for medication? It might help you and since you would like to be a successful teacher it would be an added bonus. I wish you all the best. It would probably help you with the "shyness". It must be difficult because you sound like a wonderful person. I hope this gets better for you.