I suffer from severe social anxiety as well as other anxieties similar to what u describe. I socialize on the internet, but real life socializing with people I don't know very well is very hard for me. I usually don't go out much, and don't have many real life friends, especially since in the last seven or so years I have lost of them, both to them not being to deal with me, or just getting busy with children and having families. Now I mostly focus on my family, which I know will stick with me.
I'm in therapy but I don't what the value of it is. What I do know, is if you suffer a lot of fear and oriented problems, the only real thing to do is to confront it. I don't really do this much, as I've constructed a nice little bubble to live in, and I'm taking baby steps to get back into the world. But someday I hope to live a normal life again
But again like I said, the only thing you can really do is face your fears and try to do these things even if they make you uncomfortable. That's the only way you're going to get through this. I know it isn't easy. But that's the one thing I know for sure.
Anyway, good luck and thanks for sharing. I think you'll find a lot of people can relate.
