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I have never been in a relationship before and I am getting into one now. I’ve been talking a guy for a good time now and we went on our first date. Through all of that I was fine. I wasn’t getting any panic attacks but now, the guy wants to go on a second date and as we’re planning I’m starting to get a panic attack. I wanna tell him that I can’t do this but I really do want to. It’s just not fun when you can’t agree to something you want to do because of something you don’t understand. I have no idea how to get through this situation. Should I tell him I can’t do the date cause it overwhelms me too much??

So I just started a new job and it's not difficult or anything but it does require interaction with customers and I've never been comfortable in social situations Even though no customers have been remotely rude to me, and have been very understanding about how new I am to the job, my anxiety about social interactions even makes pleasant social interactions very draining. And I know a lot of people have been in situations where they're starting a new customer service jobs I'm curious about any tricks you guys use to help control your anxiety and make your work experience easier.

Hi all, I'd really appreciate any advice on the following... I've suffered with anxiety (mainly social) on and off for as long as I can remember. I've seeked different Drs help numerous occasions but hadn't ever found a Dr I was comfortable with or who I felt actually understood me - most of them just made me feel stupid, so I just struggled on. February just gone I felt my anxiety getting very bad, so I tried a new Drs surgery and the man was amazing! He gave me paroxetine tablets and a number to call for therapy. I am on a waiting list to see a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. I gave it two weeks, still going in to work but I was getting worse. Beginning of March I was signed off for 2 weeks and he increased my dose. I returned to my Dr and was signed off for another 2 weeks... I have 4 days left on this sick note. It will have been a month by next Tuesday. Meanwhile, I contacted my work and suggested I go in for a catch up meeting to discuss 'options'. Just to see what there point of view is, to explain to them where I am, what I'm currently going through, maybe even to talk about setting me up to work from home. And to see what impact my absence is having... We have set a time for tomorrow (Friday). However, I asked if my boyfriend could sit in the meeting (who I live with and who has helped me no end through all of this). My team leader said 'HR feel it would not be appropriate as he is not an employee'. She then went on to say that 'it is just an informal catch up, there are no actions coming from this other than to see how you are doing, it is not a return to work meeting.' Surely if I proposed the meeting in the first place then it should be on my own terms? I would feel more comfortable with my boyfriend there for support and to help me if (or when) my words escape me... And if it's an informal chat then I don't see what the harm is? What's to stop me calling the meeting off and just contacting them after my next Drs appointment with an update? My team leader has been very understanding with all of this, and she is also quite a good friend of mine. I don't know if this makes my situation better or worse to be honest. I don't feel ready to return to work, at least until I have had my first therapy session... Or maybe even if I have been given an appointment date. I am currently feeling like I should request another note to cover a month. I was told today that it will be at least another 4 weeks until I see a therapist. I also want to suggest changing the reason on sick note from 'anxiety' to 'anxiety and depression'. Has anyone else had a similar experience, or can anybody advise on any of the points I've mentioned? Any help would be a huuuuuge help as at the moment I just feel confused and don't see what's for the best. PLEASE HELP

I found out i had social anxiety, panic disorder with aggrophobia about a year ago, however i was suffering with this since i was 11 years old.. my parents always took me to the doctor because i always felt sick, couldn't eat i couldn't do anything but the doctor just kept saying i was their 'mystery patient' like FOR REAL they couldn't figure out i was having panic attacks for 7 years!!! I have been put on citalopram - an antidepressant 20 mg and I've been on it a few months now.. It's been helping but some things are just too hard for me to face. Im studying primary school teaching in college and now we have to go to the Gaeltacht away from home for 2 weeks.... im terrified to say the least. All my friends are so excited but all i can think about is my anxiety. What if i get a panic attack? what if i can't attend classes? what if my friends think i'm weird? I'm gonna be away from home and my parents.. what if i can't eat the food? what if i get sick ( major fear of sick), what if I'm the worst in the course? what if i go back into depression that i just started to get out of? all the what it's... i won't be able to go out at nights with my friends to drink because i just can't, its not possible I'm not able. Im so tired of all the what if's, why can't i be excited about anything anymore.. my anxiety has taken over my life. Sorry for the rant x

It's now been a couple years since I had any drink! Big victory, right? But where's my reward? Most of my friends and peers still drink a lot, ( yeah, I'm a musician - surprised? So it's even "at work". ) and it forms a social barrier. Meanwhile my OCD and social anxiety increased. I go to less places where everyone is drinking, and so I'm forgotten and abandoned. What's to be done about this? Others I know just "fell off the wagon", but I don't want to do that - it seems like giving up. I guess I need to find some new friends, but that's easier said than done. What do people DO at night that doesn't involve alcohol? I see everything more clearly now, the good things and the bad. I've had to look at myself and everyone around, and I don't exactly like what I see. Is it more unhealthy to drink, or to be lonely?

Hello everyone. My name is Lexie. I suffer from GAD. I found this site through another social site for anxiety sufferers. http://www.anxietysocialnet.com/ Its kinda a bit like facebook. Everyone there is really helpful. I am interested in this site because the forums are a lot mroe active and have a wider range of topics. I look forward to sharing my wisdom and insights on anxiety. I have a degree in Psychology so I'm an ok advice giver, I would be a lot better off if I actually followed the advice I give LOL.