dreading tonight!!! - Anxiety Message Board

Fairy314 · 07-22-2005, 01:35 PM

My friend is in from out of town and wants to go out with a bunch of old friends tonight. All day I have been nervous and working myself up into a panic. I keep worrying that what if i go out and end up having a panic attack. I've felt spacey and sick to my stomach, and I can't stop! I want to go out so badly and enjoy myself but, I just can't let myself. Is there anyone that can give me advise? Please help!!!

Rkoa63 · 07-22-2005, 05:41 PM

I'm the same way when it comes to knowing about plans ahead of time. I start filling my head with all these "what if's", start feeling sick, make up some lame excuse as to why i cant go, and then end up spending the night at home missing out on the all the fun! When i do actually end up going out i will always 1) drive myself to where ever we are hanging out (so i can leave if necessary) 2) show up after everyone has already arrived (that way i dont have any commitments to drive anyone home if i start having one of my attacks) 3) Always have an excuse if you do feel the need to leave early(have to study, have to work early, didnt sleep well the night before etc.) By having the option to leave if i need to makes me feel a little better about going out. But when i do find myself getting worked up right before im suppose to leave i will try breathing deeply to relax and while driving to the event i try singing out loud to the songs on the radio, and once im with my friends i usually end up having such a good time the anxiety actually takes the back seat for a couple of hours. Hope this helps. And im sure you will have a blast with your friends tonight!

uk_worried_guy · 07-23-2005, 12:08 PM

Hi There,

I agree, go have fun & relax - it does you the world of good!

My friends are all aware of my health-anxiety issues now, and cope with me quite well with my worries. Actually, being able to use the guys as a sounding board is often useful, helping putting my worries in perspective and making me feel a whole lot better about things.

eg: for the past few weeks, i was REALLY worried about hiv after an incident...... I'd cancelled a few nights out because of worry.... when i eventually did go out with myfriends, i discussed things with them, and the unanamous verdict was, "dude, dont be daft, you'll be fine!" with the added caveat of, "dude, if we even thought there was a 0.1% chance you shoudl worry, we'd tell you, so chill!"

Since then, ive been feeling a whole lot better!

But relax, chill, good music, and all is well :-)