[Anonymous]

Recently I've been wondering whether I have some sort of social anxiety or something like that. I just seem to worry day in day out. For example, at school I can't just go up to one of my friends and give them a hug, I always feel really self-conscious. I also dislike team-building activities and I usually just end up sitting there not saying a word because I feel that if I put forward my views they'll be shot down. Likewise, I don't feel comfortable participating in class debates as I'm scared I'll just get yelled at, even if I have a point I'd quite like to make. It's strange though, because I didn't worry too much about my exams, yet tommorow I'm playing a squash match - my first ever- in a mini league (which is supposed to be just a bit of fun), although I feel a lot more worried about that and it's been preying on my mind for weeks now. I wouldn't mind losing so much in itself, it's losing by a huge margin which almost makes me cringe to think about. I've spoken to friends about this and they say not to worry, but I just can't!
Do you guys think there's any possible explanation for all of this? And should I worry about the squash match tommorow? And, this will sound stupid, but has anyone ever participated in a sports tournament/competition and been soundly beaten. It would make me feel better to know that other people have been through the same thing.

[girlscientist]

It is healthy to worry but it has become problematic for you. I would advise sitting down and thinking through the deeper reasons why you feel these things. You have no need to worry about what other people think about what you say etc. Do you judge people when they say something? probably not, so remember they think the same
Try self help books