well i just learned of a good way to rid of your fear, i just got rid of my veritgo so trust me, it really works

ok, to take on fear, it has to be step by step
first:
think in the most wonderfould memory you have while listening to your fav happy song

now analyze your fear and find the smallest ramification of it
in your case: public interaction
the smallest i can think of would be small talk with a person at the supermarket. coment about the weather, news, music anything
at anytime you feel fear of opening your mouth, remember the moment in which you heard your fav song and memory and breath

you will be able to go through with it and start a conversation

after thats done, increase the level of public interaction at your own accord, and at everytime you feel your unable to do it, just fall on your back to that relaxation technike

after a while, your brain will relate public speaking with a sense of happyness and presto n_n

uff thats the first time ive written something this long n_nu ill take a nap

-_- zzzzzzzzzzz

att
Carlos Gutierrez (tay)

baby steps start by just saying hi to people in supermarket and then walk away when doing that easily go to small talk then proceed as you like

I think they can sometimes go hand in hand. I say deff. work on your insecurity and then the shyness will be easier to deal with. I know when I am really depressed or insecure about a topic of discussion...even though I have an opinion I will not voice it because of my insecurity. do you see a therapist? I think you should it will hellp you alot!
Hugs
~dixie

shy - lacking self-confidence

insecure- Lacking self-confidence; plagued by anxiety

http://www.thefreedictionary.com

goog question you talk a lot of sense

i'm big on practicing things to get better. the problem i want to work on is how to not beat the crap out of myself after what i see as a social failure. i know i can build "social muscles" if i can see each attempt as a positive step toward my goal. excuse my language, by the way, i have a cold:)

I agree, and part of this for me is to identify and stay away from people who are not healthy for me, because I tend to isolate when around someone who is not healthy, does not treat me well, and leads me to feel bad about myself because of it so that I don't want to reach out, when what I need is counseling to get over the abusive situation I've put myself in and "lowered" my self respect and self esteem. I keep a list, everyday, of something I like about myself. I try to do something nice for someone every day without anyone knowing. I try to do 2 things I don't want to do everyday to for exercize. I try to present myself well with dress and grooming and actions.

I don't think there is. you can raise it by doing just what you said put your self out there more. There are times when I am out with a group we need help and I will be the one to volunteer to get it just to make myself get out there. It is so hard but I feel so good after I do it.