Fear of people, or Anthropophobia (I don’t know how they come up with these phobia names either!) is described as a phobia that causes fear of people or social situations. It can be with a group of people, or in one-to-one situations.
This causes awkwardness and acute shyness. It can sometimes leave the sufferer blushing or feel physically sick when faced with a social setting. Sometimes even just the thought of meeting other people will bring on the symptoms.
How can I overcome my fear of people?
It sounds like a cliché, but the best way to overcome your fear of people is to face your fear. Just like if you are scared of spiders the way to cure yourself is to hold a spider, and keep doing it until you realise there is nothing to worry about.
Overcoming your fear of people, just like any fear, involves the simplest solution. But it is also the hardest solution.
Start by writing down what it is that scares you the most about people and social places. Make the list as long or as short as you need. Next write why you want to overcome your fear of people. What is the goal you want to achieve and why? Now leave it and return the next day and read both lists again.
The fact is the only thing stopping you getting to where you want to be (i.e. list #2) is your own fears (i.e. list #1).
Keep these lists and refer to them every time you are faced with a social situation, or something that makes you uncomfortable. Knowing what causes your fears, and knowing why you need to overcome these fears is the best thing you can do to cure yourself.
The next step is to keep doing it. Keep speaking with other people, keep going to places with lots of people. It will be a tough road, but if you keep your lists in your mind there is always light at the end of the tunnel.
Don’t let your fear of people ruin your life. Learn to overcome your shyness and take control of your life.
