Social Anxiety When The Globe Is Having A Party.

[janemariesayed]

The celebrations over the new year have been quite daunting for me in recent years due to the anxiety I feel when in crowds.

I feel that jumping up and down for the sake of the next day is fake as well as all the laughing and drunkardness of some people who then claim 'what a great time they've had.' I could be wrong but I think that when they sober up and come back down to reality, they realise the party is over and get despondent.

There are those folk of course, who have a great life and enjoy the celebrations to the full in a genuine manner. But for myself, as I suffer from PTSD and depression and social anxiety, I really detest group events and find them so difficult to handle.

A couple of friends invited me to go out with them on new years eve, but I declined because I don't like crowds. My anxiety affects me in a way that when I am in a crowd, I go quiet and can't think of anything to say. I feel embarrassed in front of people and often wish that I had stayed at home.

This year, I didn't go out or do anything really special. I was happy to be with my two doggies and just sit and watch television. A friend did come in and share a coffee with me but after a couple of hours I was wishing him to leave. Of course, I had to be polite and not say 'hey c'mon, off you go' but I certainly wished that I could!

Does your social anxiety have an effect on your own personal new year celebrations or is it a time when you are actually able to participate?

 

[Alex]

I don't feel the need to party unless I wish to anymore. I've been to parties, been out to Trafalgar Square and other cities for New Year, and it was fine, but I don't feel the need to do them again.

The leaving part is the hardest thing, and usually I always want to get home. I always establish a leaving time now, if I am guest or if I have people over. I find it's much easier and makes things less awkward.

 

[Concernedgal]

Sometimes I will attend sometimes I won't. If the party is indoor I will carefullyplan every aspect such as... where's the nearest exit, will there be a restroom near by, and how many people will be there, do I know them. If I know you , I have no problem speaking to you face to face, but, if I don't. .. . I've been in situations where stranger would try to strike up a conversation and then I would rudely walk away . I'm not trying to be rude , I swear, it's just I feel like a panic attack is coming on and I have to excuse myself. And don't get me started on the type of event, I can't handle techno or dance music, too stimulating.. no thank you. If no food.. no thank you. You see sometimes I feel like if I don't eat after a certain amount of time .. I will faint. Have I ever due to blood sugar? No. Although I havr fainted before. Just not due to blood sugar. Anyways. I know how you feel. I'm trying to purposely put myself in anxiety driven situationsto I guess you would say, condition my brain into thinking differently. You know.. CBT therapy. Try that. Every bone in my body says no. But, I havr to try to live my life and not let the anxiety win.