It makes my heart skip a beat, the eye contact is overwhelming, and it puts my body into a fight-or-flight response. For as long as I can remember I have felt such intense discomfort in social situations. Whenever I'm in public I often feel uncomfortable. It's hard for me to carry on a conversation and I'm running out of things to say. I remember my mother telling me I was terrified every time a relative wanted to talk to me on the phone. My social anxiety makes me feel socially inadequate. I hate this feeling. For most of my life it has been baggage that I carry with me throughout the day. It's also difficult to be myself due to my constant need to please and impress others. It's my daily reminder that I'm full of who I am and what I am