anxity and dating

How can a person with anxity and social phobia get back into dating? How do you meet people? I would almost rather meet people with the same problems. Are there groups that meet or online chat rooms avaible?  

[notxub]

I think it's a little harder for men to deal with somthing like social anxity than it is for women when it comes to meeting people. Men are supposed too be stronger or so we're taught. I never had these problems untill I came home from the gulf war. LOL...came home to my now x-wife who was pregnent with someone else's kid. but never the less now I have some problems. How do you start over when toy have trouble meeting people?

[piety]

Are you afraid of being hurt?  That's half the "excitement" of meeting new people. It's the unknown, will this or will this not be the "one".  Half excited, half nervous, that's fun!!! Just remember that their rejection of you (IF you are rejected) does not define you as a person. Know that you are a good and worthy partner and know that you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you meet a prince!  just go on dates, they will become easier the more you do it.and you will soon forget how nervous you are now!

[notxub]

First of all thanks for your response. As for your question, Yes I probably am afraid.
but,One thing I have discovered is that it helps to find somthing that you feel passionate about. Ive started long distance bikeing, art classes.going to the gym. but this phobia is sometimes pretty dibiliting. I'm afraid of this phobia making me look like a complete idiot.

[plisken]

social anxiety is a *****, cant be in a restaurant , dont want to be around people much, its a killer! i dont know either, hey maybe we should meet and talk sometime, i'm not gay or anything ok but it might be comforting to talk to someone going through the same thing. iwould like to know how urs got started , maybe we can compare notes. i havent
talked to anyone w/ the same situation.