Panic attack

[user7890665]

Just had a panic attack at the thought go going to my work's Christmas party tonight.
This will be the first time I have been out socialising in nearly two years due to covid and cancer.
I'm not sure if I can go tonight 😢

Panic attacks are the worst. Sometimes it’s just not worth pushing through or you actually can’t. If that’s the case tonight then just don’t go. Or, could you tell yourself you’ll just go for a certain amount of time? An hour?

covid and cancer really is a lot for anyone to cope with. Do you have to go tonight? If you definitely want to go then take some time, try something relaxing like a bath or anything just to get you in calmer head space. Can you phone someone to meet you outside so you're not going in alone?
If you have to sit this one out it's okay. Take care.

I had cancer during the pandemic too so I hear you! Try and get yourself out, deep breathing, talk yourself down. It works for me when I feel overwhelmed. Hopefully when you get there you will really enjoy it. If you really can't do it, then that's fine too

Do you have an ‘anchor’ person or workplace ally going to the event who you can reach out to?

There are no wrong decisions here for you OP, you cannot get it ‘wrong’. Staying home is ok and so is turning up, even just for ten minutes. Stay home if you need to, there is no shame. Loads of us loathe work dos and we haven’t been through what you’ve been through!

It is bloody hard. I try to live by you only regret what you didn't do' to push myself to go.