I want to be able to open up to people and to make friends, but no matter how hard I try, I can't force myself to really talk to people. All I can think is "don't embarrass yourself," and if I see what I think to be a judgmental look or comment, I immediately shut down, get red, and stop talking. I know they probably aren't really thinking anything bad about me, but I always feel like they are (someone laughing in my classroom? Probably directed at me).

Like I said, I really want to be able to make new friends. I want to be able to talk to people without wringing my hands or avoiding eye contact. I want to be able to be a good girlfriend to my boyfriend, I can't even hold his hand. I just get this overwhelming feeling of 'I'm not supposed to do that!' whenever I do anything affectionate whatsoever.

Is there any way to get rid of AvPD?