Hey thanks for the responses.

Pingu, I definitely have the problem of words getting stuck in my throat. It would help if I took it less seriously. Even when we're talking about casual stuff, it still seems pretty serious to me somehow. I mean, the last conversation was about dancing, and I still couldn't seem to add much.

Sunrise, I honestly can't figure out if I want to be there or not. My overall goal has always been to learn to be closer to people, but yeah I really meant one-on-one. T's argument is that it's much more difficult to tailor your responses to what you think another person wants to hear in a group setting, and he thinks that's what I do a lot of the time. He's right about that, but I don't suddenly become more "myself" in group. I mostly just clam up and say nothing. But then, sometimes I look forward to going there. I don't know if it's because I like seeing T twice in a week (probably) or if it's just that the whole thing fascinates me. I guess I wish I could be a fly on the wall during group. I guess I want to be some kind of emotional voyeur.

Really interesting about Switzerland! I have a friend who moved to Australia where he was suddenly much more popular than he'd ever been (apparently lots of Australian women like American men). He said his personality did change while he was there and he became much more assertive about dating. But even before he changed, he said he was perceived much differently there. Context is everything I suppose. I wonder what it would be like if I were in a social-anxiety group. I might be far more outgoing if I thought the folks around me were shy. Actually, if I'm around someone who's really shy I tend to talk a lot. It's the context of my group that scares me I guess.

Doubtful, yes I usually feel misunderstood. I blame myself though as I'm unable to articulate when I'm shy. I mean I'll say things that make plenty of sense, but afterward I'll wonder why I said them when they have nothing to do with what I'm thinking. It's like I'm just searching for something to say instead of being able to express whatever's already there. Truth gets inexpressible and stuck in my throat.

On an unrelated note, I'm happy that I have individual therapy later today. I've been really depressed, so much so that I even called T yesterday (which I almost never do between sessions). I didn't reach him though he left messages for me later in the evening. Anyway, I'm hoping to feel better later on.

Thanks for all the responses.

Sidony