Hello, I am 18 yrs old. I have been diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome a good while back. I'm terrified of both talking to people on the phone & in Person, and I'm really struggling with socializing. I am able to communicate through written communication such as this message okay, but if it was an online chat, I wouldn't be able to talk. The telephone terrifies me. I feel the tremendous levels of stress and fear rising inside of me every time I have to speak on it. My phobia is so bad that I am uneasy being around many of my family members, even though I love them more than anything. I'm not uneasy being around my Mom though, she is my one and only friend. If I end up getting in a conversation with someone, I end up getting so nervous that most of the time I end up getting really sad or sick to my stomach feeling. I have never really had a problem with eye contact, but if some people continue to "Stare" at me for long periods of time I get really uneasy.
I'm even scared to order my own food at a restaurant. I guess I'm scared to give my own opinion out-loud to others. When we have to work on group projects in college, I get really uneasy and feel as if my ideas won't provide any help, just make me look dumb. I believe the main reason why this is because I have been bullied throughout my entire education. I have always been shy and being bullied didn't help anything. Also if someone touches my property such as my Video Games, I get really nervous and worried that they might break them. I know that they won't break them, but I get a horrible anxiety attack or something like that whenever that happens.
What might be causing these "anxiety attacks"? Is it something else or does it go hand-in-hand with my Asperger's Syndrome? Also would Hypnotherapy provide me with total or any long-term relief from these horrible Phobia attacks? If anyone would like any other information, please feel free to ask. Any information received will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!