Guys - why do you get approach anxiety?

You're going about it all wrong see. When you're approaching a woman, your thought process shouldn't be: "I wonder if she'll like me, I wonder if she'll think I'm interesting/attractive, I hope she thinks I'm funny/cute." It should be: "I wonder if I'll like her, I wonder if she's interesting enough for me, I hope she's got a good sense of humor, cause if not then I'll be moving along..."

You have to not only think you're attractive, interesting, and funny. You have to believe it, and be secure enough with yourself to not care if she doesn't see these qualities in you. Instead of seeing women and visualizing them as "the catch," you have to convince yourself (and them) that YOU are the catch.

Be confident, try to develop conversational skills if you haven't already. If you're nervous, try not to think about it too much. Talk to them like you've known them for years, build a rapport with them if you will. Really pay attention to what they are saying, and genuinely be interested in what they have to say (provided it's actually something that's interesting in the first place).

These things may sound trite and cliche, but it's the truth (at least in my experience). You go through this routine enough times, you'll develop the skills. Pay attention to your mistakes because we all make them, and hone this craft so that you may wield it with utmost conviction. But don't get too cocky about it, women don't like that either. Be a gentleman, and be cool.

See, that's the problem right there. No wonder girls go for bad guys when good guys can't even approach us. I'm not saying this to be mean to any of you. On the contrary, I want you all to understand something here. If you plan to approach a girl, approach her. We would rather have a guy approach us (even if he blushes, is super shy, whatever it may be); regardless of his being insecure about asking us out.

I mean, some girls aren't confident; some cannot wait to be noticed or asked out. It is tough for us too. While beauty plays a role, don't judge based on someone's looks (looks are decieving). I approached a guy once and he rejected me; it was horrible (I was 100% sure that he liked me). He was playing a game to boost his ego. I would approach a guy again if I happen to like him. Sure, nervousness plays its part in these things, but so what? When I fall, I fall hard.

Clearly, you think the worst possible things of yourselves. Let me tell you, you are worthy of love. If you are looking for a true relationship, you will find it. All you have to do is to give it a try. That sounds like a lot, doesn't it?

For once in my life, I would love a man to take charge and take it out into the open and tell me whatever it is he wants to tell me. I couldn't care less if he is nervous as hell. If you step over all that is holding you back just to talk to me, that is a step forward.

In the mean time, if you think that you need to 'fix' something about yourself then do so. If you think that there is nothing to 'fix', then don't you dare say that you aren't worthy, and that she will just say no. Read some tips on approaching girls, work on that. When something is of great importance to you, go and get it.

Afraid of rejection + I know she'll say no

Just be you. Stop thinking so much and start practicing your social skills. They are in there somewhere. You just gotta exercise them. Work them out a little bit. Start developing a six pack charisma. Be confident in who you are and "will" become. And if he/she don't like who you are then too bad so sad, who else are you suppose to mimic??

But you gotta start somewhere. If you fear making mistake so bad then how will you ever get anything done?

Its their loss for rejecting a girl i know rejected me and went with a bum and now she has a baby and no daddy to bad for her that was her choice.

I think its so many things. Will she think i'm weird. Do I look funny today? i bet I do. Strong fear of rejection. I get like that with a lot of people though, Its just stronger If I'm talking to someone I'm attracted to. And I know what you mean about reliving things If something embarrasing or akward happens to me it won't leave my head for ages. I cringe everytime I think of something

"I feel like I'm just bothering her"
Where are you approaching women? As a general rule, if you think you're bothering a woman by approaching her, you probably are. There are appropriate times and places to approach people, and there are many, many inappropriate times and places for it.

Luckily I don't have it. You just have to go for it. The pain of rejection might last a day or two. But you might miss out on something really great.

lady came out and gave me a glance which said "man can love an angel but he's gotta take the chance." I already knew the deal, I lit one up and walked.

Not sure if it is my place to comment here as I am a women, but firstly let me reasure you. You are not alone. No one on planet earth likes the reality or even the though of rejection, all that people often say "Oh I don't care what anyone thinks", is a load of garbage. Trust me we all care what people think!
I would never ridicule anyone. I have no right to. It takes a lot of courage to tell someone how you feel about them. xx

Most girls I am friends (and me) with would either give you a chance, or say 'I'm sorry'. You would never get ridiculed, unless you were being an asshole about it (But I know you wouldn't do that ;) )
Getting asked out is actually very flattering.
If you want to avoid 'the look' all together, just don't ask out the snobby looking ones. There are pretty girls out there that arn't snobby.

Can't help you here. I have somewhat crippling social anxiety.

I don't, I get sexually excited.

Mostly because I'm a bitch when it comes down to making the first move.