Has anyone learned how to get over being shy?

Question:

I am 30 & due to a cleft palete, I got a speech problem. Whenever I talk to people, most everyone frowns trying to understand me, and usually moves right up to my face which intimidates me as I also have panic attacks (but I understand why people do this) Then I get people who roll their eyes at me or treat me like I'm from another planet. I patiently waited one day for a cell phone salesman standing for 45 min. while he helped an elderly couple. When it was my turn, he was helpful till I started talking, then he sorta "zoned out", tuned me out & when other customers walked in he dropped me & went to them, only giving me about 2 min. to explain my problem with my new phone. Then I get people who are outright nasty & yell at me to remove the gum out of my mouth (guess thats what I sound like) or say or treat me like a retard (I have literally been told that). So over my lifetime, I just try to be invisible, I don't speak up, I don't make eye contact, but inside I'm outgoing.

Answers:
calm down and practice what your going to say before you are left at a awkward situation with that person and don't listen to what people say and do because a beautiful person and no one can't tell you otherwise.

I have. Antidepressants, caffeine and self help literature. Hokey, disliked and cliche but hell, whatever works.

yep.

Step 1. I assume you have been in many speech therapy classes already. If not . go get in one.
Step 2. Take a public speaking course
Step 3. go out on blind dates.. and learn how to deal with rejection in a positive way.

Step 4. Consider plastic surgery to fix the speech impediment, and while their at it, see what can be done nowadays to fix the cleft.

Has anyone learned how to get over being shy?

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