It sounds a very lonely place tobe at the moment - shy and stuck at home alone in yourbedroom. It can be very hard for people who think that everyone else is out and about socialising, to feel isolated, lonely and left out. And I know the idea of meeting new people and getting to know them can feel like an enormous hurdle. No wonder you feel trapped at the moment, for your shyness is physically crippling you so that you don't have the courage to leave your room in order to find the life that you really seem to want.

Let me say first of all, that there are many many others like you. My contact with young people during 15 years of counselling has helped me see that MOST youngsters experience some degree of shyness. It's just that some show/hide it better than others. Of course, we all know some of those infuriating types who appear not to have an ounce of shyness anywhere....who are always outgoing, bubbly and sociable, seem to be the life and soul of every party, and never seem to hesitate for one second about meeting new people - even going up to total strangers and striking up a conversation. But those people are few and far between. I know because I've heard so many young people confess to me how very far from this stereotype they feel. So I always like to point out that probably most of the young people you meet are shy to some extent. It's just that some learn to hide it really well; others are probably just a bit further along the road in terms of managing it than you are. The good news is that there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself.
ANd the first real piece of advice is that you're not going to meet anyone in your bedroom. Getting a social life always involves a bit of effort, and sadly, it involves doing the very thing that you're probably most scared of...ie going out and facing people. But this can be made easier by doing it with someone else. It always feels easier to go into a pub, club or party if you have someone to go with. So, although you say you have no friends, do please try and find someone in your life with whom you could try doing a few new things. THis could be a brother or sister, an old family friend, or perhaps someone from school or college who may not feel like a best mate but may be quite useful in getting you out and about.
Then the next step would be to plan to go somewhere together. Don't make things overly hard on yourself by choosing your worst-case scenario! That could seem like climbing a mountain...instead, take this in small steps that feel reasonably comfortable and OK to you. In other words, go somewhere you're reasonably familiar with, perhaps where people you know hang out. Friendly people, if possible. Plan together in advance an exit strategy....so that if you're both hating it, you can escape. That will help you feel more positive....if you know you don't have to be stuck somewhere you're not enjoying. And even if you don't manage to talk to any new people that night, or meet anyone, you can still use the occasion to study how other people are behaving, listen to what they're saying, and get a feel for how other young people meet and greet each other successfully. That will all be good, useful material for your next outing.

So, Dave, have a think about this and let me know how you get on. And don't hesitate to come back for more advice when you need it.
Dilys