I was diagnosed with ADD when I was in 7th grade, took Ritalin, then was taken off after a month. Many years later, in the process of getting it diagnosed as adult ADD, my psychologist told me that I had anxiety problems. After much introspection over several months, I found I had social anxiety.

When talking to a stranger, I can be very candid, funny, and relaxed at first, but as the conversation continues I start to feel a nauseating unease build up in me. I feel a need to end the conversation abruptly and run away.

I have very few problems when talking to friends. I've been told I'm charming, funny, and a good listener.

I can have a good conversation with a person I've never met before. That person can be very receptive and happy to talk to me. Everything is perfect, and the feelings of anxiety still continue to surface, and I start to break off eye contact and become very fearful of the situation. I've used alcohol to help alleviate some of the feelings but it either isn't enough or I end up getting drunk.

This anxiety I'm feeling is totally irrational. I can be talking to a stranger and start to feel fear. I can hear myself saying to myself that everything is going very well in this conversation and that I don't need to worry. Yet, I'll feel a need to run away and take a breather.

I'm currently seeking treatment. I'm looking at a combination of psychoactive medication and some cognitive behavioral therapy.

Are u currently taking medication? Because I though that I had social anxiety, but then I realized it was just that my attention span sucked so much I could only stand to be in a conversation for about 10 mins.

When talking to a stranger, I can be very candid, funny, and relaxed at first, but as the conversation continues I start to feel a nauseating unease build up in me. I feel a need to end the conversation abruptly and run away.

Hmmmm I think street-skater may be onto something there. This is a very unusual pattern for "social anxiety" by my reckoning.

I can relate well to individuals (or even to groups if I'm in charge)... it's when there's more people & the social thing kicks in that I'm clueless and useless and leave or remain & feel like crap.

I can hear myself saying to myself that everything is going very well in this conversation and that I don't need to worry. Yet, I'll feel a need to run away and take a breather.

Try not to focus internally when in a conversation. Its not an easy thing to do because anxiety follows a vicious circle that feeds upon itself (thoughts-->symptoms-->more anxiety-->thoughts-->ect. . .).

Your brain can be your own worst enemy sometimes. What happens is you get in a pattern of feeling and thinking "this is going to happen. . ." and its hard to shake. You have to prove your brain wrong.

Challenge these thoughts (when in a safe place), ask yourself "what is the worst that can happen?" You'll find in reality, not much. Then next time when the anxiety starts in, remember that. Its no big deal. Then try to focus outward and brake the circle.

Also remember that the way you feel inside doesn't really show on the outside.

Good luck!!!