Is it normal to feel nervous around potential love interests?

[Anonymous]

The title kinda speaks for itself. Whenever I get around someone I could see myself either doing things with, or even just dating, I start having an anxiety attack. My heart beats faster, my throat clenches up and I feel almost nauseous.

Is this normal?

[Lexington]

I personally don't experience this. I may get nervous asking them out, but I don't feel nervous just by being in their proximity.

That said, I appear to be in the minority here. Many people I know get very quiet or awkward in the presence of somebody they find attractive. I was at an event with a bunch of adult film stars, and my friends kept having me go approach them and ask them to come over to talk to them, because I didn't have any trouble talking to them.

Lex

[Sunsetting]

i think this is pretty normal (though a bit extreme), but it doesn't have to be. having my self image in proper perspective lessens the anxiety immensely. we have to realize our value...our talents, good traits etc. and not feel 'less than' because we see someone who seems to be the next american idol. everyone has issues and drops their droors to poop. that being said, i still get butterflies in my stomach and hope there will be some kind of attraction to me so i don't have to pursue someone too much lol.

lauryn hill said, "it's better to be the real you than the fake somebody else". i want to like someone for who they really are and i want them to like me for me. so if i chill and be me (i KNOW it's tough)...and they don't like me or like me, at least i've been me... and honestly, that's more important and enduring than someone else's affirmation anyway

[Anonymous]

I can't speak for others but I think the reason that I never came out is that I would always choke up whenever I was around a guy that I was attracted too. I just didn't know what to say. I don't think it's that uncommon. I hope you can overcome it so you can find a guy that's right for you. Good luck.

[Uniboth]

My heart jumps a few beat and my hands start to shake when I'm around someone interesting... I start talking more and become a tad over-confident (I'm typically reserved). I find it hard to control my manners when they're around. All of me comes out when I'm talking to a dude I like - I guess it's my way of trying to make the right impression in case he's interested. It's worked, I guess, to some extent because all of them became some kind of close friend to me afterward (none of them is gay yet).

[insidehappy]

yea i get nervous too and start mixing up words. lol

[Anonymous]

I do think this happens a lot. I get really nervous. My hands get sweaty, my heart races, and I freak out about stupid things. I forget where I'm going and I make dumb mistakes like trip. I'm a mess around people I like.