Hey Jenna (I'm back) don't want it thought that I've overcome all of these issues either -- I still struggle with them, so handing out advice is tricky ... feel free to fling it back at me anytime if I start sounding out of control .... Dr. Phil says that if you can only realize that you are strong enough to handle it if the worst thing happens, then you can start to trust others, because you trust yourself .... I think it's a good thought, once I know I'm capable of getting through the mess (if a mess happens), then it makes it at least a little easier to move forward.

Another possibility, if you have people that you are open with and already have trust with, maybe do some exercises/games .... get one of those games where you ask and/or answer questions about what you believe, think, etc (or a book that has a bunch of questions like that) and spend time asking and answering those with your friends ... it's great to get to know them and yourself better and it may make it a bit easier when you are with new people to be able to be a bit more open. Just a thought!