Can anyone HELP me..?

[Ness]

Hey everyone,

Im 17 , currently attending school.
I am continually anxious, nervous. I worry about what peope think of me.
I cant answer questions when asked by my teachers, because im so nervous. I'm always quiet at school.
I never volenteer to do anything outside my comfort zone.
Even when im with extended family, i am always the quiet one.
AT school i feel constantly humiliated and upset when i cant answer the teachers questions and all my classmates are watching.

Next week i will be doing a Panel Discussion for english and it makes my stomache turn whenever i think about it.

Also im learning to drive, and that is something that i dread doing.
When im nervous, i may shake, my face will go red, so it is quite obvious.

I will often have trouble sleeping.
If i could ask for one thing in my life it would be to be confident. I know that i would achieve alot more and be alot happier. I feel like i have been this way all my life and i really want to overcome it.

IF anyone has any suggestions, it would be very much appreciated.

[cantelpit]

I was always the quiet one at school. Sit at the back, take it all in, but never put your hand up. That was me. But others are in the same situation. Think how you view them. Do you dislike them because they're shy, or do you just not know them. Most of us will just not notice the quiet ones in the group, because our attention is taken by the loud ones. Some will try to bully the quiet ones, but that is their problem, and in a good school will soon be stopped by the thinking majority. If a really nervous contestant comes up on X factor on TV, the panel don't hate them or dismiss them, but try to calm them and bring them out so they can do their best, and they normally turn out to be very good. That is most peoples' reaction, so don't worry what people think about you- if they think about you at all it is in a generally positive way. I like Katie Melua's song "shy boy", which reflects the fact that the opposite sex are often attracted by the quiet honest person, above their brash, lying and overbearing friends. I hope your panel discussion goes well. These things are designed to push the quieter of us into taking the limelight for a few minutes. I really hope it turns out to be a positive experience for you. I normally find that I'm a lot better than I think I am. I bet all your mates are hoping you'll do well. If you get tongue tied and can't express yourself, they'll be disappointed for you, not in you, if you see what I mean. I know how you feel, though!
As for learning to drive, go for it! Driving = Freedom. (and responsibility, enormous expense, danger, being used for errands etc; but let's look on the bright side!)
At first it's always nerve wracking, even for confident people. We quiet people have a big advantage in becoming safe drivers, because we anticipate what might go wrong long before it does, and we don't make mistakes through over confidence. It takes a bit longer to learn for us, but when we get there, we are safe and considerate drivers. When you are behind the wheel, nobody ignores you because you're the quiet one, the guy behind has to go at your pace, you are given your rights automatically, you don't have to fight for them. I find that really refreshing, and it helps boost my confidence.
Oops, think I've gone on more than i meant to! Hope my rambling might help,
Good luck