Just play. You don’t usually have to read or type anything.
2 Likes
I had no idea about the last paragraph you wrote.
When I 1st came to these forums, I just wanted to blather, banter, joke around, have fun but everyone talked about the game and I was too new to understand much of what they were talking about so I proceeded to use my alts and have a convo with myself in a thread.
Then someone asked me why I was doing that. I told them the truth.
I was new, bored and amusing myself. I actually made them laugh so that was something.
- To anyone who cares, the point of this post is that you can’t be afraid to fail, to make a fool of yourself either.
These things happen in real life, to everyone and if they didn’t then it’d be a boring existence.
Learn to laugh at yourself. Once you can do that, you can control that which prevents you from living to your fullest.
It also shuts up those intrusive, negative thoughts fast.
2 Likes
I’m a socially awkward autistic man, but I’ve spent the last 10 years desensitizing myself to angry nerds.
1 Like
My first experience with Blizzard forums existed with downvotes. The Diablo3 forums were terrifying. So much anger everywhere. Unmitigated even from the MVPs.
And people INSTANTLY took to disliking things if it didn’t conform. How dare I bring positivity!
So, I have in a way done the same thing as you. I avoided direct conversation. Engaging in an internal monologue with myself not expecting responses because I poorly, through SAD, could share in dialogue. Short responses. Troll like posts of popcorn, cat gifs, and derivatives.
All because there is a vocal subset of the WoW population that consists of highly analytical and antagonistic individuals who criticize in great detail with the expressed purpose of finding fault in everything written. Luckily, instead of engaging them…I block and move on.
It is a better place than it was years prior. Thankfully. And more inclusive
3 Likes
This. And if that fails, I step away for a bit. Sometimes I let things get to me too much. That means it’s break time, before anyone ELSE notices it. 
Never be afraid to step back and take a break.
3 Likes
Admittedly, I do not suffer from social anxiety. Such being said, if I can make a recommendation, the good thing about WoW is it’s all totally voluntary. Slowly and at a pace which is comfortable for you begin dabbling in group content you are comfortable with and if you have friends, or make them in the process, hold on to them.
The best thing I can recommend for those who suffer social anxiety in this way is to find a consistent group of people to do group content with. That way you know when you’re in that circle, you are in a space where the people know you, and you know them, and that social anxiety will slowly fade in the favor of enjoying company of people you enjoy talking to.
2 Likes
I create a separate (new) tab I call “Party” and direct all chat to that tab. That way if I want/need to look at group chat I can do so without filtering through all rubbish in the “Combat” tab.
3 Likes
Have had terrible social anxiety like, forever now… it gets easier the more you expose yourself to social situations, in game or IRL.
Just do it little by little… start by questing in crowded areas, or doing easy content that nobody really talks in, like the world raid boss or normal dungeons (especially classic dungeons, as those are generally mega easy)
A really good thing to remember is; generally, nobody is focusing on what youre doing at all. Relax, stay out of your own head, and play the game.
Also, if anyone is being toxic, just /ignore them. Why should they get in the way of your fun?
These may not be like… the best tips, but they have helped me past a lot of my barriers.
Also, writing on these forums has helped too, lol. Ive switched my character i write on quite a few times bc I would get soo anxious about writing on here with like… my opinions already up, if that makes sense? But, I can at least handle writing on this forum without switching my character every few posts, hehe. So theres that. :3
1 Like
I don’t really understand, this isn’t me trying to be rude but how is it you can post on the forums but can’t play group up with other people?
1 Like
My social anxiety is an in person thing. I’m totally okay online but don’t even bother with me in person. I’ll be out the door as fast as I can.
Online is pretty much the only way I can socialize.
2 Likes
I’m not sure I suffer from social anxiety but if people in the game are being jerks I just treat them like any other NPC in the game. If they’re being toxic. I put them on ignore so I’ll never group with them again. Thinking of wow as a solo game might help 
We’re all very lucky that you decided to join these discussions! You have some hilarious and cogent takes.
For Xinner: there’s a lot of amazing people in this and other games. I hope you find likeminded folks to run with.
I missed it if you mentioned this earlier, what role do you want to play in group content? I don’t know if that is your main or not, but Druid is a solid at every role in the game.
1 Like
I would join a good, active, casual PvE guild. Hopefully they exist.
I have social anxiety, and an severe introvert…to make things worse, I developed tinnitus about 8 months ago that intensified all those things. I don’t really want to go into them. I think people have probably noticed I’ve dropped back on posting, and I’m not going to go into how bad it feels like your loosing everyone around you because your head is screaming at you.
Some good advice I got was make a few friends, and forget about the rest of them. I think for what it’s worth, maybe that wasn’t such bad advice.
2 Likes
Ugh, I’m very sorry to hear about your tinnitus, I’ve heard things from people that have it, and it sounds awful. Hopefully there are some things you can do to somewhat negate the symptoms?
1 Like
I appreciate that. I do what I can with music, white sound, movies, etc… Some times it works, some times not. I was hoping the specialist would help more, but apparently it’s something you have to live with. 
2 Likes
I’ve had obnoxious ringing in the ears after listening to really loud music, which has lasted for a couple days, that’s the closest I’ve come to anything tinnitus-esque. Just that alone was a pain, lol.
2 Likes
If you actually have “social anxiety”, the amount of words you have typed in this thread to random strangers is about infinitely more than you would need to type to random strangers in a dungeon or raid.
Solo. My reasons are differant than yours though. I actually made a thread on it and was shocked by the responses
At the very minimum just give your greeting. Most groups suffice on a greeting and then proceed to run the content.