Hi all,

Firstly i'll explain the odd username - I have/had a condition called Phimosis which, you guessed it, is basically the tightening of the foreskin and the initial reason why I joined the forum.

Now for some years I've been struggling with relationships - infact I've never really had a meaningful relationship with a girl. I'm Male, I'm 18 years old and I wouldn't say I was ugly.

I feel as though I'm desperate to find a girl and have been for some years which I feel was the main contributing factor to a 5 year period of depression which ended this year (which coincided with the more likely reason for the end of the depression - I left School/College - but I still think that the lack of any relationship is a major factor).

Initially I thought there was a confidence issue and there could still be some truth in it. I'm very hit and miss when it comes to confidence in that at times I can be very confident, bordering on arrogant, whilst at others feel totally shy, empty and alone.

When I have been confident I've attracted a number of girls and despite my problem I have found myself with a number of very pretty admirers all of which nothing has come from. The fact that I could never take the plunge is what really bothers me, so much so that at one time I did question my own sexuality but I am now comfortable in the knowledge that I am hetero and there's absolutely no attraction to the same sex whatsoever.

I'm really at a loss to what the problem is. Could it possibly be that my confidence is shallow and that whilst I put on a brave front I'm really terrified to make the initial step? I don't know if I even know what to do in situations - E.g. I was out in a club the other night and a really attractive girl felt my bum and rather than welcoming it and giving her some attention I panicked, ignored her and started to chat to my mate.

My mates have the theory that I'm waiting for the right girl and I can sort of believe that too but I have my doubts as to a) whether that's admirable or stupid and b) whether it's true as there have been a number of girls who I could so easily have considered the girl for me who I have neglected through lack of flirting or whatever.

I'm not sure what sort of answers I'm looking for on here but anyone with any views, advice or similar feelings please let me know. I'm willing to listen to any suggestions and take onboard any advice if it means I stop wasting great opportunities to get with a girl I may really like.