I have major depression and severe social anxiety. I take Celexa which has worked wonders. But sometimes, I still have some problems. In about 3 hours I'm off to a week long canoe trip with my boyfriend and a tour group of about 8 others. I can't seem to relax and just get excited....I keep thinking about how I could screw up, or how I won't know what to talk about with the others....I hate this feeling...

:angel: I am so glad i decided to come here!!!
I know how you are feeling although i am not on meds, i just spent a week with the in laws, i was sick going and sick coming back, and everyday was its own battle! ;)
I know i feel better knowing i am just having an anxiety attack, even though this doesnt help on a physical level mentally i need to know whats going on.
The day i left i knew why i felt like it and had to get on with it as hard as it was, i dont know what to say to make you feel better just know that the people around you understand what your feeling, and not let the anxiety turn to depression too long!
I have had anxiety for around 6 years and tomorrow i am back to my dr for some proper counselling, this is my first step!!!!
i hope you manage this holiday as i was so proud that i had managed most of the week. ( i came home a day early as it got too much) I am sure if you make it through this holiday it will be as much a milestone for you as it was for me :angel:

Hi I totally understand and relate to what both of you say on these posts. I suffer from the same kind of social anxiety and sometimes its hard to distinguish the excitement of a trip somewhere from pending anxiety, either way the excitement usually ends up as anxiety for me, with butterflies and nausea usaully leading to vomiting once those symptons kick in. I noticed that one of you has seen the dr about this and take medication for it. Would you recommend this approach as my dr. wasn't very helpful. I've tried complimentary therapies before to relax and try and control the attacks when i feel them coming on but they haven't really helped in the long run. I am afraid of medications for such illnesses as depression and anxiety as I've seen how the medication can go very wrong with some other friends of mine. Above all as much as it feels this way we are not alone. ;)

Thank you both for your replies. Sometimes I think we all need to hear that we're not alone,eh?

as for meds - it took me years to actually say that I had a problem . . . I used to go to parties with my boyfriend, and never leave his side, not talk to people, too nervous....same with any new environment. I was afraid to do anything alone for fear of being laughed at, not knowing what to say . .. I am sure you know what I mean!! :) The meds, while not the total solution, have done wonders for my social anxiety problem. Therapy is another part of the solution. But for me, the medication (Celexa 40 in my case) was a god-send. People who have known me for ages comment on how I've finally become comfortable with myself. I still get scared or anxious, but then once I'm in the situation I'm much better able to react and I feel good about it later. Ask your doctor about Celexa (the other nice thing about it is that weight gaining is NOT a side effect.. . )

You guys are so right. Once I'm there, it'll be better. It's the build-up that's always more scary. Thanks again.
-Jen