My crippling social anxiety is preventing me from talking to men but I long for a relationship
DEAR DEIDRE: I LONG for a relationship but I can’t even talk to a woman, never mind a man.
I’m a gay man, 36, and I live with terrible social anxiety.
I was raised with three sisters, so I’ve always been in touch with my feminine side.
As a teenager, I soon realised that I had no interest in a relationship with a woman.
I work as a software engineer and it’s generally a man’s world, but the other blokes are either nerdy types or they’re older and married.
I look online at dating apps for men and I long to go out and find somebody to have some fun and sex with but I can’t bring myself to actually create a profile.
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I’ve joined a gym and I had my induction but I haven’t set foot in the place.
I’m scared everyone will look at me and know I’m gay.
I’m lonely and worried I’ll never find a relationship for myself.
READ MORE FROM DEAR DEIDRE
DEIDRE SAYS: You do sound like you have very low self-esteem.
You have nothing to be ashamed of. Hold your head up.
The fact you are gay is one part of you and a part you have every right to feel proud of.
It would help you hugely if you could start to build your confidence.
To start addressing your shyness, contact anxietyuk.org.uk (03444 775 774).
Finding a mutual interest also helps the conversation flow, so my support pack, Gay Resources, will show you where to meet like-minded individuals.