Verified answer

me too. Did you ever wonder if you were on the autistic spectrum?

my advice is join a club of some kind, like yoga or chess or something.

above all dont think of yourself as different, as you definitly arent, most people aren't social naturally.

again, people who are quite social are usually quite boring, think of all the interesting things about yourself, you are probably more intelligent than them, and when you do interact, people will consider you deep and meaningfull. It just takes a smile and a 'hello' and you will have them eating out of your hand.

'quiet waters run deep'

See a doctor first, who may prescribe medication; also ask to be referred for counselling. It can take some time to be effective, so view: http://www.healthyplace.com/communities/ and practice daily for 20 mins. the meditation technique described, and in times of adverse life events. Also see: http://www.beattheblues.info/? and www.depression.com/- and the blogs of Shan Eris on "tackling depression" at www.myspace.com

See if Social Anxiety Disorder is cose to your problem.

Seek some help.

It's SO common, but we don't talk about it.

There are self-help books, too, but it's not up to me to say that you have it, you know?

Good luck!

YOu are NOT alone in this.