Reply #9: Hypnotoad... maybe an unusual suggestion but...

[m-jean03]

Have you tried cutting out sugar and stimulants, tropical fruits and refined flour for a while?

Try eating healthy, whole, local foods -- and you may see your energy increase, and your state of mind become more balanced. In my experience, a lot of shyness is just not having the right kind of energy to reach out to people. Excessive shyness and introversion is indeed a deficiency of sorts, as you say a handicap.

Anyway -- macrobiotic writers have a lot to say on this topic. Try reading Food and Healing by Annemarie Colbin. It's life-changing stuff, if you're willing to give it a chance. PM me if you want more detail.

I used to have similar difficulty as you, the shyness and the intensity. It's unbelievable what diet can do for your state of mind as well as body. You also have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, don't you? Me too. We sound alike in many ways.

Good luck comrade --- mj :-) :-) :-)

P.S. Did you ever take that picture of "Now serving Camel" sign?