A Constant Thorn In My Side

I'm kind of lucky I suppose, considering how bad some other people with social anxiety have it. I don't get shaky, have severe panic attacks, or faint or anything like that. But my own social anxiety is still crippling, in its own way. The most obvious symptom I get is nausea. Whenever I'm at some sort of social event, even if its something I would enjoy doing, I sometimes feel sick to my stomach, and I get all tense and nervous. My throat gets really dry, and at times it feels like if I don't get out of there, I'm going to throw up. I never have, thankfully, but there were times when Its felt close. It also manifests itself in other ways. Its hindered my search for a job, for instance. I've always been reluctant to get my first real job, but the anxiety definitely doesn't help motivate me. My anxiety also caused me to have a panic attack on graduation night. I ended up crying in the locker rooms when my name came up on the list of high school grads. Since then I've improved a bit. Counseling and medication has helped. I'm able to go to more social events without getting too nervous, so its a start. I don't know if I'll ever truly be able to cope with it, but until then, it'll continue to be a thorn in my side.