Chatterbox: Down to Earth

Hey all. I need some help, and I really don't know where else to turn. 

I think I'm developing social anxiety, and it's just one more worry to add onto my ever growing pile. Middle school was hard enough without constantly worrying about the repercussions of what I say and do. It feels like if I do something, I'll regret it, but if I don't do something, I'll regret not doing it. I used to be really talkative and outgoing, but now I have trouble speaking my mind even to my closest friends. I look at other people and my first thought is "How do they talk to other people so well?"

I talk to myself more than I talk to my peers.

Whenever someone tells me I'm being talkative, I clam up.

I'm so antisocial I've had people who I've known for over a year now forget my name.

I used to be fine with presentations, but now even thinking about speaking in front of my classmates makes me want to cry.

I feel like I've been growing farther apart from my old friends, and farther apart from my new friends.

I don't know what to do. If you have any advice, please help me.

I'm sorry for my little rant. It just feels good to get it all off my chest. I'm not going to post this anonymously because I trust that you won't judge me or think of me differently.

Thanks.

~Quill