Thank u for sharing! I also feel anxious while speaking in a group, or to individuals that I'm not familiar with. Actually I feel like I'm anxious all the time.
And the part that you're afraid of deep water? I can relate a little bit. For me it's not the depth that makes me anxious, it's the feeling of water touching my body all the time. Flowing water is a lot better. That's why I hate swimming and taking bath.
For me, I'm anxious of how I look and how I speak. Looking into a mirror makes me nauseous. The concept of death makes me anxious a lot as well. For years I would think of death at night and how it's inevitable and I would so terrified that I can't sleep. Any death-related series or movies will make me super uncomfortable. I would try to pull out my hair while facing something stressful. I'm afraid of talking to others as well. Even when some strangers are talking about the topic I'm interested in, I'm too anxious to join the conversation.
The way I deal with my anxiety is to talk with AI. Chatgpt can comfort me and tell me what to do.
I think it is super brave that you say that bc that is NOTTTT easy. Sometimes when you speak for a group like presentation in the class you can be with others and then it feels less scary but if you are alone i had first that you feel better after a few minutes. But one time i felt NOT better after few minutes and then i panicked a bit abt that and now every time i feel like that time and not the other times.
And for water is it bc you are afraid that you can drown or maybe feeling or smt else?
If you want to talk abt topics that you like but you dont want that with friends or in school than maybe you can do just in the forum. Bc that is maybe a LOTTT easier and most ppl are nice if they react so maybe that is even better than AI or you can do both if you want that.
And for you ๐๐๐ฅณ๐๐
