Going to dinner

My husband and kids want to go to dinner... I want to go and I’m so anxious to go out .. how can I push myself to go and not let them down .. so sad

[tamka38]

Can u do some deep breathing exercise before u go? Or a short meditation video. Every-time I get anxious and work myself up and leave the house it don’t never be

That bad as I thought it was going to be

[Hidden in reply to tamka38]

I tried!

[tamka38]

Good luck

[Susan512]

I know the feeling, I been there it's hard to do something when your body is telling you no, try to relax and some deep breath a couple of hours before you go out sometimes that works for me. Hope you are able to go and have a great time with your family 😊

[Hidden]

Okay we went and grabbed pizza... I was okay but still felt uneasy and a bit shaky and kept thinking “oh no” a few times... only if I knew how lucky I used to be to go to places with my family like a Normal person

[tamka38 in reply to Hidden]

Believe me, I know how u feel. I barely leave my now.

[Hidden in reply to tamka38]

Stinks

[anxiousgirl7]

Think about the yummy food!! I was the same as you. But I finally started to go and actually manage. You can too.

[Hidden in reply to anxiousgirl7]

Is it the zoloft that helps?

[anxiousgirl7 in reply to Hidden]

I think , and a combination of fighting it

[loveandlightseeker]

I went to a bible study tonight and probably told myself 10 times before that I couldn’t go, I was too anxious and needed to sit it out. Pretty much any excuse not to go. But, I went and feel blessed by the experience. It usually works like that in most situations and it isn’t as bad when we finally get there. So glad you enjoyed your dinner and made the step to get out!

[Hidden in reply to loveandlightseeker]

That’s awsome glad you went

[Calm_mama]

Fantastic Chrispal Keep going out. If you have a panic attack, thank your anxiety for giving you an opportunity to practice indifference towards it. Those sensations? They are nothing...Practice leaning in to the sensations. Ask anxiety for MORE. That is one way in which anxiety learns (and recovery comes)- by you showing it that you are not afraid of it. The more practice, the better.

2nd reason to go out for pizza etc - Anxiety also learns by being SHOWN what's going on out there and that the world is essentially very safe. Getting pizza is safe. Your anxiety will start to double down, trying to convince you there's a threat when there's not. SHOW anxiety that there is no threat at the pizza parlor. When you get back home, your anxiety will be a little confused- "Wait, we didn't die? I thought for sure it was curtains for us out there...." every single time you take your anxiety out, you show it- and that is how it REALLY learns. Eventually it backs off its protective stance and recovery comes. But it takes a ton of repetition. A ton. And a little "2 steps forward, 1 step back". Don't give up any opportunity to go get pizza/dinner/movie etc. Each time is yet another opportunity for anxiety to see and learn by repetition, and for you to practice nonchalance and indifference towards everything that it brings...

I'm so glad you went out tonight!

[Hidden in reply to Calm_mama]

So basically I will learn to just go after a while? Even if I feel uneasy while I’m there?

[tamka38 in reply to Hidden]

Right, it will get easier the more u get out.

I do a lot of self talk and most of the time it works and if that don’t work I do deep breathing exercise. Or distract myself by doing something to get my mind of anxiety

[Hidden in reply to tamka38]

I am going to keep pushing myself for my children .... I want to spend every moment happy that I can with them .. they are my reason for everythinf

[tamka38 in reply to Hidden]

That’s why am still fighting because I want to be free from anxiety and enjoy my life

[Calm_mama in reply to Hidden]

Yes

youtube.com/watch?v=REOdAWC...(Not working as expected?)