[eicnix]

First getting diagnosed, medicated and therapy. CBT is an amazing tool to help you rewire your thought processes and self image. (Access to therapy might vary based on your location/healthcare system but I cannot recommend it enough)

Therapy is only the first step to give you the capabilities to allowing you to effectively “expose” yourself to more social situations like many others have already commented.

[garbanzoPDX]

Similar story and I use journaling as a form of CBT therapy often.

I also went on an SSRI a few years ago which I swore off for a decade+. It’s been huge for me, something I wish I had been more open-minded about a lot early. Even with therapy and tons of exposure therapy, I still had crippling social anxiety. With medication, I feel… normal.