Hi Manatee and welcome

This makes me sad! I do know how crippling it can be and that terrified feeling of "how the hell am I going to do this?!"

At the core of social anxiety is the belief that if anyone sees you as you are they won't like you. As a human, being accepted by the "tribe" is pretty important because if you were outcast in prehistoric times you wouldn't survive long. So it's completely normal to be afraid that other people won't like you. The problem with social phobia is that the belief is wrong and people will (most probably) like you or will at least accept you.

I have to cut this short sorry because I have to get ready to go somewhere, but I have more to say because I was touched by your post.

All the best,
Gypsy x