Thank you for sharing your experience so clearly. What you are describing is very distressing, and itâs understandable that living with these difficulties for many years has affected your confidence and daily functioning. Severe social anxiety can begin in childhood and continue into adolescence if it is not addressed. Symptoms like fear of speaking, avoiding eye contact, trembling voice, racing heart, muscle tension, and the mind going blank are common anxiety responses, not a personal weakness.
Maladaptive daydreaming often develops as a coping mechanism to escape overwhelming anxiety or stress. Even though you are aware that the daydreams are not real, the mind may automatically shift into them to seek temporary relief. This can interfere with concentration, studies, and real-life interactions, especially when anxiety is high.
The fact that you sometimes feel temporarily more confident shows that this pattern is changeable. Both social anxiety and maladaptive daydreaming are treatable with the right psychological support. Structured therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure-based techniques, anxiety management strategies, and grounding exercises can help reduce fear, improve social confidence, and decrease excessive daydreaming over time.
At your age, early intervention can make a significant difference. Consulting a mental health professional would be a very important and positive step. With consistent therapy and guidance, improvement is very much possible. You are not alone in this, and help is available. Hope this helps.
Next Steps
Consult a psychologist . Start trauma-focused therapy (like CBT or EMDR).