A friend has invited me to celebrate her birthday. (Sort of friend - don't actually know her all that well but she has quite a severe disability, mental health difficulties and is young and single. Therefore she has very little social life and doesn't know many people)
Event is a specific takeaway meal and a film.
I wouldn't normally consider going because I have anorexia, social anxiety and am an extreme picky eater. I know I won't be able to eat a takeaway (particularly not the type chosen) and would just have a drink. I know how much most adults hate picky eaters so I stay away from things like this so I don't ruin them or annoy people. Probably, in real life, everybody at this party will be very polite and not say anything about my weirdness but, from reading mn, they will all be seething, judging and thinking I have ruined this woman's party.
However, I know how much it has taken for this woman to arrange something social in the first place. She had very few people to invite (so it's going to be even more obvious that I don't really take part) and I know she is frightened of feeling rejected by nobody coming.
So, I have a dilemma. Which is worse/more upsetting to the host?
a) going to the party and not eating anything
b) turning down the invitation even though I'm free
I know it really should be: c) go to the party and eat normally but I honestly can't. Just the thought of it is making me feel sick and panicky.