I have this friend and she's really having a hard time being "herself" when she's with other people. I mean, hindi naman sa nagpapa-kaplastik siya or whatever pero parang somewhat ang bilis niyang mailang sa ibang tao. For example, for her tumatahimik lang ng konti yung conversation or when she keeps quiet (kasi nga parang ang bilis niya mailang, diba?) awkward silence na para sa kanya...Gets? Parang she responds to the situation kasi she HAS to, not she WANTS to. Para di lang awkward na tipong..."Ano ba to...Hindi kami naguusap...Parang nakaka-ilang naman"

I feel lucky na I'm one of those people that she can unconditionally be herself to. I just want to help her kasi siya rin mahihirapan if this goes on diba? I mean, in the future, how does she make friends that she's comfortable being with...right? I just don't know what exactly to say, well rather than, "Be yourself". Ang dali lang nun sabihin pero ang hirap magsink-in sa kanya. Please help me elaborate. Hehe. Or if you guys have other suggestions, tell me din. I'm sure it would help. Thanks a lot.

hmmm...

maybe she needs to go out more often...

and there is really almost nothing that a little time and patience can change diba?

you can try having her go out more, be with people more. i don't think dapat biglain mo. the best thing to do would be to gradually get her used to other people's company. sanayin mo siya sa mga taong medyo malapit pa sa comfort zone niya, tapos unti-unti hanggang masanay siya sa mga strangers na.

have you asked her why she's like that? does she know she's like that? baka hindi niya alam na ginagawa pala niya yun, or maybe hindi niya alam na it's that bad. and well, though i think matutulungan mo siya on your own, possible na di talaga matatanggal yung behavior na yan if the thing that causes it doesn't disappear or change. for example, if the reason why ilang na siya kaagad kapag may pause or lull sa conversation is because feeling niya baka di may nagawa siya na di gusto nung other people, as long as yung idea na yung nagpopop sa head niya automatically, mahihirapan kang tulungan siya.

most of that kind of behavior is just a defense mechanism. i'm sure with help, she'll learn to relax and open up more.