How can I fix my social anxiety when I am already pretty social?
So for as long as I can remember, I have always had this problem. I can extremely nervous in new situations regardless of my experience of things. Just for context, I was so shy that I didnt talk for 4 years in high school. I forced myself without medication in college to socialized.
I was able to successfully get myself out of anxiety and I have came a long way. I started going on dates when I was 22 and I failed miserably. I eventually got my first kiss at 25 and my first girlfriend at 27. I am so confident that I can go to bars by myself and cold approach strangers.
In fact on NYE, I was able to keep a convo going with a girl and got her to meet me for coffee.
Even though I did all of that, I still struggle to communicate. People always ask what did I say. My words run together and I struggle to be convincing. I get my anxious even when talking to friends 1on1.
If I had to described my anxiety. It likes a discomfort in my belly that eventually radiates to my head. Once it is in my head, I can't think. I start to forget things easily and I stutter. The up side is that the more I am exposed, the symptoms disappear. However, they reappeared again with a new situation.
For example, I can talk to women now. But I still struggle being good at texting. I can talk to strangers but I struggle to connect. Its a weird balance to be at.
Im only reaching out because I am in my IM rotation in med school. Unfortunately my stuttering causes the docs to think I am stupid which only makes my anxiety heighten. Even now, I have a headache and it is hard to return to baseline. I didnt even struggle talking to other patients. So idk why it randomly is happening now?
Does anyone know any way to get rid of social anxiety once and for all?
Posted Jan 10, 2026, 12:30 AM UTC