Social Anxiety

[Tikichilli8]

I started at high school about a year ago  where none of my friends are. I have made a few friends but most of them are in different classes. I'm always left out when we have to get into groups or pairs because the kids I hang out with are already in the group. I'm extremely introverted and whenever I speak my face goes red and I start to shake. I was like this at primary school as well but I had friends and I was always in a good group. My class started doing drama about a month ago and I hate it. I don't have a group to go with and I'm always stuck with kids shyer than me who are worse at acting and I'm forced to take control which I hate. When I'm performing everybody laughs at me, even the kids I hang out with. On Tuesdays, which is drama day I'm always thinking about ways to go off school so I don't have to do it. I'm an A grade student and so far my mark in drama is a d+. I get really anxious when I think about drama and I start shaking and wanting to cry. I have panic attacks when I'm by myself. Please help!

[Struggler]

Hi tikichili

It is quite normal for young people to feel the way you do.  Do you have to do drama?  It is not core subject such as math and science.  We can't all be good at everything.  Frankly, I think some subjects are not only waste of time but do more harm than good.  

Can you speak with your parents who will then advocate for you with the school?  School should not be torture.

Struggler

[Tikichilli8]

At my school drama is an elective. My grade doesn't get to choose what we want to do, we change every term and a half. So far I've had half a term of drama so there's still ten weeks to go. Each lesson is an hour and a half. I'm not very close with my dad, and my mum is in England , looking after my grandma who had a stroke.i don't feel comfortable talking to them because they think I'm making things up, and I would still have to do drama any way.

-Tikichilli8

[Struggler]

Hi Tiki

Thanks for writing back with more information.

It's been donkey's years since I was in school. Nowadays,  there are school counsellors right?  Would you trust them enough to speak with them?  

Most of the time students laugh watching other students.  They laugh at anything, everything, nothing, not necessary at you.  I don't think you are making things up at all.  Your feelings are real and it impinges on your quality of life.  You said you have made friends.  Hang out with them during recess and lunch break.  It'll help you feel less isolated and have some fun.    

You are an A grade student.  Wow!  You're an academic.  Drama is less important  than the core subjects unless you want to be an actor which I doubt.

I'd like to follow on your progress and I await your next post.

Struggler 

[Tikichilli8]

Unfortunately my school doesn't have any counsellors which is why I'm on this website. I'm even shy talking to my "friends". I usually get An A in music art woodwork sport and agriculture as well, it's just drama. Thanks for taking the time to answer me.

[Tikichilli8]

Also, I'm completely the opposite when I'm at home. At primary school I was really extroverted with my best friend. I'm just shy when I'm at school, or with people I don't know. I'm even shy in my netball team, which I've been playing in for 4 years

[Struggler]

Hi Tiki

I am glad you come to this forum.  When I was your age, boy was I shy.  I felt so ill at ease with people and had little friends from primary school to high school and university.  

You made some very good friends in primary school and you kind of grew up together, right?  So much fun and sweet memory.  Now you went your separate ways because you started high school.  It is a big shock, new environment, no friends, new curricula, strange teachers, even toilet is different.... So much to take in.

Like you said you are doing brilliantly in every other areas except drama.  Ok, you don't get good grade in drama, who cares?  It is only one subject and only drama.  Like I said you don't plan to be an actor.  

For the time being until you have established some trusting friendship, how about get together with some of your old friends from primary school?  

As to the shy kids in your drama class, hey, it's a real opportunity to take on the leadership role.  It'll help you develop to be a leader and it is very attractive to other kids, especially the girls, so cool :=).  At the same time you'll make friends with the shy kids.  Just because someone is shy, doesn't mean he/she is an idiot.  You yourself are intelligent even though you are shy.  You're not really shy because you are different outside of this school.  

Struggler