social gatherings and anxiety

[summersoversnoopy]

Hi everyone, just after a bit of advice, please:) i am suffering from anxiety, am managing it except when it comes to social events - I just can't face them:( small numbers (3/4)of people I can do but am very wary, anymore and I just don't like it:( I feel awkward, don't know what to do with myself, feel like I am being looked at/laughed at and just feel really uncomfortable and get myself worked up and in a state beforehand. For these reasons I try not to go, I think people think I am rude - I'm not, I just prefer to not go because it causes me so much upset:( I am supposed to be going to a lunch today with the people I work with - I really don't want to go:( any advice? Thank you for reading

I can't really advise and I'm almost exactly the same, it's debilitating and horrible handhold, I hope things get better

Give yourself a target - you will stay one hour and then you're allowed to make an excuse and leave. Or you'll just have the main course and then you can make an excuse and leave. Give yourself the right to leave, is what I am saying. If you make it through longer, then you can give yourself extra points .

It's good it's a meal, that keeps you and everyone occupied and gives you an excuse to zone out looking at the menu. Also a meal gives a natural endpoint for leaving.

You start feeling too uneasy, head to the loo and deep breaths, paint on a smile and go back out. Have some conversation starting sentences in mind, and have a think about what you know about your colleagues' interests/families/lives beforehand so you can ask them questions that seem like you pay attention to them .

It's an hour or two out of your life, you can do this!