I have only recently struggled with anxiety, specially in social settings. I have always been shy but now I feel like I need to avoid situations where there’s too many people. I feel like everyone judges me or thinks I’m weird because I’m quiet.

Does anyone else feel this way? How can I overcome this? I am 25 and I want to be able to make friends and hold conversations with strangers. 

Maybe an important note: I am on birth control, the patch to be exact. Could this be triggering my anxiety?