how can i find the courage to go to a social event with social anxiety

[c=004A59][i]the local community centre usually invites me to a meal evening every week, but ive not been for months because i have cope with social phobia and tend to withdraw from people and isolate myself....plus i'm scared of embarrassing myself socially and scared of rejection....if i don't make the effort to go to these events, i'll just become more isolated, cut off and lonely.....and opportunity's will pass me by...and i won't meet anyone..

the times i did attend the social event, i came across as unsure of myself and socially awkward.....and a couple of times i went, everybody who attended congregated at different tables to me and i was sat by myself and felt left out...socially excluded? which was humiliating and embarrassing for me..

what should i do?[/i][/c]

Starcrossed · 41-45, F

If they seated you alone a couple times now, I would think this doesn't sound like a very inclusive community and I can understand any trepidation in attending future events. You are right in your pointing out that if you don't make deliberate effort to push past your discomfort you will continue to be and feel isolated.