I have a similar situation but, not as bad when people make bad remarks ask me about a seceret or just say hello I trouble with coming up with what to say

Thanks for the helpful advice, Admins.

You're welcome. I hope it helps.

Admin

I’m looking forward to receiving more advice on this topic!

I kinda know how he feels. I have anxiety, and last year was the worst it's ever been to the point that I didn't even want to step outside. Well, this guy in my youth group noticed this and tried to reach out to me, but I pushed away. So, he would leave little encouraging notes in my backpack or my box at church. After a little while, I finally would hang out and talk to him. We've been best friends ever since, and my anxiety with people, while still there, is certainly not as bad as it was. 

So, finally getting to the point, maybe try something similar with your classmate. It's awesome that you're reaching out to him, but try not to overwhelm him. I'll pray for you guys!  

Hi. I have a mild case of Social Anxiety. 

Imagine if every minute of every day, you were self-conscious about yourself. You were constantly planning what to do and what to say. You began to dread talking to other people, because you were too terrified that you might say the wrong thing. You try to use silence as a way around these torturous social situations.

I haven't found a good way around my own case, so I can't give you advice on how to handle it. But this is how it feels.

Hey Autumn! I've gone back and forth on diagnosing myself with anxiety- I often overthink social situations, I'm constantly afraid I've said something wrong, I sometimes feel stressed out to the point where it feels like sirens are going off in my head, etc, etc, etc- and I do have a lot of friends who deal with anxiety, so here's my thoughts. I would try to help him as much as you can. Try to become his friend. Invite him to sit at your lunch table or something, or ask if he wants to join a club you're in. Isolation is not helpful for anyone, and you seem like you care a lot about his situation and would be a good friend to him. 

However, telling him to just read it because everything will be fine probably isn't going to help him. Part of him probably knows that his fear is illogical, but that doesn't make it seem any less scary. I would suggest maybe asking him if he or his parents have talked to the teacher about not forcing him to speak in front of the class until he feels ready. You could also offer to talk to the teacher about it with him. Don't try to pressure him into talking about it with the teacher, but it could help him only talk to the class when he's ready, and I think letting him know that you care and would be willing to talk to the teacher with him would be helpful too.

No one except therapists and other professionals are really completely able to offer helpful medical advice, so the best thing you can really do is to offer moral support as much as you're able to. It's awesome that you're trying to help! Good luck to you and him! <3

I'm clinically diagosed with anxiety/social anxiety.  It's honestly with one the hardest things to cope with.  Unfortunately, it takes a lot to even connect with people who have social anxiety, much less help them. And I'll go ahead and say it, you may never really make situations like when a teacher calls on him any easier. But you can make his regular life better.

As the Admins said, try to befriend him.  The most important thing is to never let his anxiety seem like a burden.  Never roll your eyes, sigh, or in any way indicate he is tiring.  If you befriend him, let him know you accept him as he is.  Anything from speaking one on one to getting up in front of people is nerve wracking in ways people who don't experience anxiety cannot understand.  Work with him, be patient, be kind.  He isn't abnormal and he isn't a china doll.  He just needs some understanding.  

Talk to him, connect, and even if he doesn't talk much, make sure he's always included and feels welcome to talk. Like you would with anyone who you're trying to make friends with, find common ground. Encourage his interests. Even if you don't have interest in it, try to find questions and things to talk about with him.  But don't push the entire conversation around him. Again, just treat him like any friend.

Be encouraging.  Self doubt is a large part of social anxiety.  People like us just need to be reminded a lot that we do mean something to others and we're not a burden.  It's not fishing for compliments, I promise you.  It is just genuinely something we cannot help but second guess and question pretty much everything.  So just drop the casual compliment or encouragement every so often.  Show your attention when he speaks.  Let him know what he says matters.

Be steady.  Don't let it seem like you're only befriending him out of pity. Talk to him regularly. Invite him to sit at lunch with you. Include him in with your friends, and make sure they are regular in talking to him too.  Again, when doubt creeps in it's hard to trust and know what people are thinking.  So just make sure he feels included and valued.

Honestly most of this is stuff you would do for a good friend anyway.  You don't have to be an outright cheerleader for him or make too much of his anxiety.  Just let him know that hey, he has a friend.  That is honest to goodness the very best thing you can do.  I guarantee you, my friends have definitely changed my life and helped me with my anxiety a ton.  In fact, for the most part, it's friends I made right here on the CB.  So don't underestimate how far a kind word or gesture can go.  It can totally make his day.