[Iridium]

Maybe I'll get banned for this, since I'm not a women, but I'm interested in a woman's perspective on the matter, and I accidentally came across this site while searching google, so here goes.

I'm 23 and a virgin. That isn't really what my greatest concern is, it's more so why I'm a virgin. I have crippling social anxiety, almost to the point where I'm afraid to leave my house. This keeps me from doing many things that I would want to do, because the anxiety is so powerful, I associate the opposite sex, and people in general, with those incredibly unpleasant feelings of anxiety. And since the anxiety is so strong, and always present, my behavior when I am forced to interact is so painfully awkward, that "putting myself out there" only reaffirms those negative feelings. As a result of this, I have never so much as touched a girl.

I hope not to get flamed for this part, but here goes: I have a fear of intimacy, and since I'm a male, it's expected of me to take charge. To ask a women out, to escalate, and so forth. I could learn over time, but I don't feel like I could do that now, not realistically anyway. I have no friends. I avoid all human interaction, due to the anxiety. I don't even know why I'm writing this, I guess because I have no one to talk to in my reality, and I'm not comfortable doing so. I usually try to keep my mind off this stuff, people, women...and I do a pretty good job. It seems my recent birthday has brought back these negative thoughts.

Sorry for this poorly written rant, for some strange reason I take comfort in the idea that someone out there might read this. Thanks.

[HaplessDia01]

It sounds like you just need someone to talk to, along with some professional help. If you'd like, I'm willing to add you on a messenger of some sort, so that you can get more familiar with "interacting" with others even through that means.

[DreamP346]

Are you seeking professional help. There are both drugs as well as non-pharmacological treatment options.

The other thing is that internet is a great way to talk with other people when you have social anxiety in public settings. If you are really interested, try online dating. Its very common and you can learn to "talk" with somebody online and become comfortable with them before even meeting them in real life.

Don't rag on yourself about the anxiety. It is a disorder. You need to learn to deal with it and find whatever help you can get to manage the condition.